The Fijian Government will continue to provide free water to households with an annual household income of less than $30,000 for up to 92,500 litres of water.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced this in the 2021-2022 National Budget he is currently delivering in Parliament tonight.
He said the socio-economic stability for every home in Fiji starts at the tap and Fijians need water that is clean and easily accessible.
He says the same goes for access to electricity where 96 per cent of Fijians will have electricity, which he has attributed to years of steady investment.
“We didn’t make those investments so that power would not be supplied in times of hardship. Electricity is a pillar of a modern Fijian economy that cannot be allowed to crumble,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“For households earning an annual income of less than $30,000, we have been providing a subsidy of 16.34 cents per unit for the 100 kilowatts of power usage. Effective from August 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022, the Fijian Government will pay the full cost of 34.01 cents for approximately 50,000 households at a total cost $11million.
“Like most everything else in this budget, this policy depends on vaccination rates climbing, so it will be reviewed in six months’ time.
“Apart from this, subsidised domestic customers will get six weeks to pay their electricity bill without disconnection. Non-subsidised domestic customers will get four weeks for their bill payment.
“This extended bill payment will be provided for six months from August 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022, before it is reviewed.”
