THE appointment of three new Government ministers and three assistant ministers has angered the public, who question the cost to already struggling taxpayers.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka yesterday defended the move, saying he just needed “more efficiency”.
Questions were raised with the PM whether his own senior Cabinet members could not handle those portfolios themselves, wherein Mr Rabuka defended his choice and said he wished to avoid “overloading” ministers.
“They have been efficient, but they have not been able to be at all those points at any one time,” he said.
“We just felt that some of them are probably overloaded. In this case, it’s me. I’ve been overloaded. All these three ministers are taking over portfolio that I have held, and it has restricted me in my overall role as Prime Minister.”
He rebuffed talk of such a move weakening the Opposition, saying one did not need numbers to criticise government.
“I believe that the people will be served better, and we will have efficient leaders in the ministries that I held before, on the job, every day, looking specifically at those portfolios.”
The big question of the day is how such a move will be funded; however, Mr Rabuka said he was reassured by the Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad that it was possible to source funds from within the budget.
Mr Rabuka said his prime objective now was to take Government successfully towards the end of its term.
“What happens after that, it’s in the hands of the voters.”
Meanwhile, Prof Prasad told this newspaper yesterday that all expenditures related to the move would be sourced from within the 2024/2025 National Budget.
He said some of the portfolios had existing office spaces and staff, which would not need any additional funds.
For newly-established ministries – such as policing – Prof Prasad said any decision to have additional support structures such as permanent secretaries would be looked into.
At present, Government has not put a confirmed price tag on the costs; however, Prof Prasad said sourcing funds and resources from other ministries would not put a strain on their existing operations.
