There is an urgent call to address the widening inequality and alleviate poverty, as over half of the population is affected. During the launch of the National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050 at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica emphasized the necessity for comprehensive support for all citizens to tackle these issues.
“I must confront these challenges with immediacy,” stated Mr. Kamikamica. He highlighted findings from the recent Asian Development Bank income survey, indicating that approximately 29.9 percent of the population, or 258,053 individuals, live below the poverty line of less than $86.10 per month, with an additional 200,000 experiencing financial hardship.
He noted that these statistics likely worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising living costs influenced by inflation over the past four years. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, over 52 percent of the population faces significant disparities and inequalities, a conclusion supported by the well-known Household and Income Survey (HIES).
Mr. Kamikamica stressed that rebuilding the nation and empowering citizens through unity is challenging when more than half of the population struggles for survival. He assured that the government is dedicated to tackling these challenges in both the short and medium term and must adopt innovative approaches rather than sticking to traditional methods.
“We need to explore creative solutions to minimize the inequality gap within the nation. Our national budget must be urgently revised to address the overwhelming issues of inequality and poverty,” he urged.
He further noted improvements in housing standards, ongoing economic stability, enhanced basic infrastructure, and better access to education and health facilities in villages.
The National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050 is built around the goal of empowering the people of Fiji through unity. To achieve this vision, the NDP is executing a range of policies and strategies focused on three main pillars: economic resilience, people empowerment, and good governance.
The ultimate aim of the NDP is to foster greater prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance the overall social and economic well-being of the population.