MONTHLY allowances for some Justices of the Peace (JPs) have not been paid.
According to those who contacted this newspaper, they are yet to receive the $100 monthly allowance announced in the 2025–2026 National Budget in July, with payments reportedly outstanding since August.
The Fiji Times spoke to a number of JPs in the Suva–Nasinu area, who confirmed they have been waiting for their allowances since August.
One JP from Tailevu, Mosese Turagaduadua, 62, travelled to Suva yesterday seeking clarification, only to be informed that the JPs Unit at the Ministry of Justice had submitted his documents to the Ministry of Finance and is awaiting a response.
“They kept on saying that it will come next week, come next month, but right now there’s nothing in my account,” Mr Turagaduadua said.
“I am okay with what they (ministry) have been doing, but since Christmas is drawing near, I was expecting this money.
“I understand, JPs are not paid for the job they do, but this is something that the Government has announced to give us.
“Since I didn’t receive any allowance in the previous months, I was expecting something this Christmas.”
Other JPs, who chose to remain anonymous, also raised similar sentiments.
Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said only those JPs who had submitted their vendor creation documentation as laid out in their policy have been paid.
“We had sent out the required documents list in August and have continued to post on our SM and website pages,” Ms Kuruleca said.
“We cannot action payment if we don’t have details of their verified account in their names.
“We have received requests as well that payment be done every quarter or six (6) months.
“We have also received requests from civil servants who make up quite a substantial number.
“We will update in due course on this.”
She urged the JPs who had not received their payments to furnish their required documents.
“Please furnish the required documents so we can register as a vendor; your other reporting requirements as a JP also still stand, so please comply with that as well.”
Former Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad had announced during the Budget address in July that the Government would be providing a monthly allowance of $100 to the JPs.
“To support our Justice of the Peace, who provide essential public services in our communities, we will now, for the first time, provide a monthly allowance of $100,” Prof Prasad announced in the budget address.
“A total of $1million is allocated in this budget.”
