Unity Fiji’s leader, Savenaca Narube, criticized the recent cabinet expansion initiated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, claiming the appointments of new ministers and assistant ministers will cost taxpayers around $3 million. Narube highlighted that Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad confirmed this amount would come from existing budget allocations.

Narube contended that the Prime Minister is prioritizing his own political survival at the expense of the public, stating that the Cabinet expansion increases the size of an already large government, which now totals 34 members, and includes individuals not elected by the coalition parties. He dismissed the Prime Minister’s justification of enhancing governance efficiency through workload redistribution, arguing that the reshuffle was fundamentally driven by personal political interests.

The criticism from Narube resonates with broader public discontent regarding the financial implications of the government’s decisions amidst ongoing economic challenges. Other opposition members, such as Premila Kumar and Mahendra Chaudhry, echo similar sentiments, labeling the cabinet size increase as unnecessary and a misallocation of resources that could have been better spent on public services.

Despite criticisms, the government maintains that the reshuffle aims to improve efficiency and better manage the responsibilities of the Cabinet. Prime Minister Rabuka asserts that these changes will focus attention on pressing societal issues and are necessary for effective governance.

In summary, while the cabinet expansions have stirred considerable debate about costs and necessity, there is cautious optimism that with effective management, these changes could enhance accountability and responsiveness within the government, ultimately benefiting the Fijian people during these challenging times. Continuous public engagement and scrutiny may serve as crucial elements in driving meaningful reforms, ensuring that governance aligns more closely with the needs of the citizens.