Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has voiced significant concerns regarding the recent cabinet expansion spearheaded by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. He estimates that the addition of new ministers and assistant ministers will impose a financial burden of approximately $3 million on the taxpayers, with funding sourced from existing budget allocations, as confirmed by Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad.

Narube criticized the Prime Minister for what he perceives as prioritizing his political survival over the well-being of the public. He highlighted that the reshuffle has enlarged an already substantial cabinet to 34 members, many of whom were not elected by the coalition parties, casting doubt on the legitimacy of their appointments. Narube dismissed Rabuka’s justification for the reshuffle, which centers around enhancing government effectiveness and redistributing responsibilities, calling it politically motivated rather than aimed at genuine governance improvements.

This cabinet expansion has sparked considerable public dissatisfaction amid the ongoing economic challenges in Fiji. Other opposition leaders, including Premila Kumar and Mahendra Chaudhry, have echoed concerns expressed by Narube, labeling the increase in cabinet size as unnecessary and a misallocation of resources that could be better directed towards public services.

Despite the backlash, the government maintains that the reshuffle is essential for better governance and addressing the escalating responsibilities of the current ministers. Prime Minister Rabuka has argued that these changes are intended to create a more focused approach to critical societal issues.

In summary, while the cabinet expansion has ignited debate about its costs and necessity, there remains cautious optimism that effective management of these changes could lead to improvements in governance. Public engagement and scrutiny will be pivotal in driving accountability and ensuring that the government addresses the genuine concerns of its citizens. The hope is that, through these political adjustments, the administration will more effectively serve the needs of the Fijian populace during these challenging times.