Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has criticised the Government for spending more than $23,000 on a Deputy Prime Minister’s trip to Scotland to attend rugby matches while ruling out additional funding to address Fiji’s worsening water crisis.
Mr Seruiratu said the Prime Minister’s admission that Fiji was facing a dangerous water shortage, while ruling out additional funding, raised serious questions about the Coalition Government’s priorities.
“There is money for Ministers to travel overseas and watch rugby, but apparently no additional money for families struggling to put drinking water on their tables,” he said.
“What kind of Government has its priorities so badly misplaced?”
Mr Seruiratu described Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s position on additional funding as shameful and irresponsible, accusing the Government of failing to respond adequately to the suffering of ordinary Fijians.
He said the Government appeared willing to spend taxpayers’ money on overseas ministerial travel while families struggled to access clean drinking water.
“The Prime Minister has effectively told the people of Fiji that while their water situation is dangerous, his Government is not prepared to commit additional resources to help them,” he said.
“This is an extraordinary admission of failure from the highest office in the country.”
Mr Seruiratu also questioned the Government’s reliance on water restrictions and conservation measures instead of presenting what he described as a comprehensive national drought response.
“While responsible water conservation is necessary, restrictions alone will not solve the problems facing families whose taps have already been dry for days or communities that depend on emergency water deliveries,” he said.
“How does the Prime Minister expect families to conserve water when they have little or no water to begin with?”
He said farmers were also facing serious challenges as water sources dried up, threatening crops, livestock and livelihoods.
Mr Seruiratu pointed to warnings from the Fiji Meteorological Service about severe drought conditions and forecasts from the National Disaster Risk Management Office indicating that severe conditions could extend into 2027.
He accused the Government of failing to respond with the urgency and resources required.
“The drought is real, the suffering of our people is real, and the consequences will only worsen if the Government continues to ignore the seriousness of the situation,” he said.
Mr Seruiratu said the Prime Minister and Cabinet needed to prioritise the welfare of ordinary Fijians over ministerial privileges and political convenience.
“The people of Fiji did not elect a Government to explain why it cannot help them. They elected a Government to lead, to prepare and to act when their lives and livelihoods are threatened.”
He said the water crisis was a test of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“Prime Minister, leadership is tested during a crisis, not when everything is going well.
“Right now, the people of Fiji need decisive leadership, compassion and action, not excuses about an empty Treasury.”
