Opposition MP Aliki Bia has questioned the Government’s promise of multi-ethnic scholarships.
In his contribution to the National Budget debate, Mr Bia said in Parliament on Monday that Multi-Ethnic Affairs Minister Charan Jeath Singh had told two media outlets his ministry would facilitate scholarships and cultural activities and provide funds for strategic engagements and partnerships.
He said as a proud Melanesian descendant he was disappointed that the budget had created more confusion among ethnic groups because the Government had failed to follow through with its promises.
“I remind Minister Singh, Deputy Prime Minister Gavoka and the Prime Minister the promises made to the more than 40 Melanesian communities around Fiji that a scholarship will be introduced to cater for them,” he said.
Mr Bia claimed that instead of introducing a new form of scholarship, the Government had only reimplemented the FijiFirst scholarship idea.
“After all the lies after the election campaign, you said, OK we will put TELS and Toppers in the microwave, reheat it to try and make it brand new, with a new name, but it’s the same one as the last one.”
Mr Bia said the budget had nothing for the Multi-Ethnic Ministry and claimed it was because Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad was threatened by Mr Singh.
He urged the Government to have the courtesy to inform various ethnic groups about their plans and not create confusion and dissatisfaction among them.
