Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized the necessity of regional collaboration to address the challenge of illicit drug use among students and within the community.
During a meeting with the Commissioner of Central Division and representatives from nine line agencies, he discussed the pressing development concerns raised by District Advisory Councillors.
Prasad urged parents, teachers, community leaders, religious figures, and other stakeholders to unite in the fight against drug-related issues. He instructed the District Advisory Councillors to identify schools and neighborhoods with drug access and to compile a list of these “red zones” to provide to law enforcement and other agencies.
The meeting also covered various significant topics, including high school dropout rates, cases of violence against women, homelessness, the enforcement of minimum wage regulations, garbage management, operations at Nausori Health Centre, fertilizer subsidies, and concerns regarding Natovi jetty.
Regarding the enforcement of the minimum wage, which is set to $4.50, Professor Prasad warned that businesses failing to comply would face serious repercussions. He directed the Ministry of Employment to carry out monitoring sessions with employers in the division to ensure adherence to this wage law.
Additionally, he suggested establishing a regional inter-agency coordination body to tackle the issues discussed during the forum. He highlighted the importance of holding regular meetings to ensure that challenges are coordinated and addressed promptly by the government.