Fiji is facing its worst health, social and economic crisis in Fiji since independence and Government does not want to talk about it, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
“I listened to more than two hours to the budget speech and I waited to hear the honourable Minister for Economy talk about the crisis we are facing in Fiji, right here, right now,” he said during debate on the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill in Parliament on Monday.
“Thousands of people are infected with a deadly virus.
“Our health system is in a state of collapse and 186 people have died (as at Monday, July 26).
“Our hospital morgues cannot even give dignity to the dead.”
Prof Prasad said at a crucial time in Fiji’s history, the people were looking to national leaders for a plan, for information, for reassurance and for support.
“And instead, I could not believe what I heard.
“The people got nothing of that assurance. The honourable Minister for Economy does not want to talk about it, about the crisis.
“He only wants to talk about when we are vaccinated and every Government minister seems to be talking about that.
“I would say that this is gutless, it is cowardly. The Government does not want to face the reality of what is happening on the ground in terms of the virus.”
