NATIONAL Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad says the situation in Fiji is grim.
Speaking in Parliament this week, he claimed the cost of living was rising to the point of being unaffordable.
He said the health sector was facing issues with patients in Serua and Namosi not able to have basic ultra-sound scans at the Navua Hospital and being referred to Suva.
Prof Prasad also claimed the Nadi Hospital had run out of diabetes medication while a group of Suva residents went to the Samabula Heath Centre to get measles vaccinations and were told it was only catering for those between the ages of one and five.
Prof Prasad claimed a lady visited the Health Ministry headquarters at Denim House on Wednesday to discover there was no team giving injections — this, despite widespread publicity led by none other than the Prime Minister himself, about the need for everyone to be vaccinated.
He said every area in society was affected.
“Land Transport Authority decided to heap further misery on motor vehicle owners and driving licence holders, requiring them to be personally and physically present at LTA for any service including payment of fees for any services,” he said.
“Fiji passport holders seeking renewal of their passports were told to spend thousands of dollars to fly down to Immigration Department in Suva for biometrics and renewal of a $200 passport.
“A 16 year-old-boy allegedly subjected to military brutality and the security forces ignoring calls by the acting PM (Semi Koroilavesau) for a full investigation by justifying the action under Section 131(2) of the Constitution — that means the peace and security of Fiji was threatened by the boy allegedly posting a picture of anti-PM graffiti.
“A school destroyed by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston on Kocoma in Qamea Island in February 2016, resembling a derelict structure because the contractors responsible for building it abandoned works because of non-payment of funds, forcing students to study in the village church for more than three years.”
The NFP leader also highlighted Government’s attempts to increase fees and charges.
“The Local Government Minister threatening ratepayers owing rates with seizure of their properties and garnishee orders.
“The Local Government Minister revealing rates could be increased as it was long overdue when as CEO of Consumer Council she vociferously criticised municipal councils of unfairly increasing rates in 2011 due to rise in rate of UCV and a year later in VAT.”
He claimed educators were waiting for promised pay increases.
“Several hundreds of teachers are still awaiting their performance-based payments for the last two years despite the permanent secretary for Education sealing her lips as to when this will, if ever, be paid.”
