A government official has, for the first time, disclosed the alarming number of iTaukei people living in extreme poverty.
Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Pita Tagicakirewa, stated that 193,000 iTaukei individuals are living in extreme poverty.
Mr. Tagicakirewa clarified that the widely noted figure of 75 percent represents the proportion of iTaukei in extreme poverty within Fiji, not the overall poverty rate.
The PS made these remarks during the Resource Owners Forum at Harbour Point Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.
“In Fiji, 238,000 people live in extreme poverty, and 75 percent of that number are iTaukei, not 75 percent of the total poverty rate. The 75 percent figure equates to 193,000 iTaukei,” Mr. Tagicakirewa said.
“When we refer to extreme poverty, we mean those who live on $1.25 a day, which is an international standard.”
Executive Director of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), Vani Catanasiga, pointed out that a lack of political will is a contributing factor.
She emphasized the urgent need to address deficiencies in accountability and oversight for sub-national agencies mandated to serve iTaukei populations.
“We have advocated for this based on numerous surveys conducted across various divisions from 2020 to 2023,” Ms. Catanasiga said.
“FCOSS is convinced that if stakeholders do not fully understand the limitations placed on access and agency within the structures used to deliver development to vulnerable populations such as iTaukei, Fiji will never achieve its vision for a prosperous economy.
“This issue doesn’t necessarily isolate the problem to the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
“It may indicate that this department is not receiving the necessary interagency support to address the multifaceted challenges keeping iTaukei in poverty at this point in our history.
“The issues could arise from policy limitations, territoriality, or lack of capacity.”