The “bad state of COVID infections” in Fiji will allow Government to obtain funding from international lenders.
This was the view expressed by former Opposition leader and prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka in his response to queries from this newspaper about the 2021-2022 National Budget.
“I think they (Government) have already milked the only cow that was available, the Fiji National Provident Fund, they’ll probably have to do another debt shopping trip very soon or do it by zoom,” Mr Rabuka said.
“And at the moment lending agencies around the world are quite sympathetic to countries that are facing very bad times and the bad state of COVID infections we have had, in fact, can work in our favour when it comes to consideration of our requests.”
He made the comment in relation to how Government would fund its total projected expenditure of $3.69 billion in the coming financial year with tax revenue projected at $1.597 billion and non-tax revenue estimated at $487.5 million. Mr Rabuka also questioned Government’s “no jab, no assistance” policy as outlined by Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in the budget.
The A-G, while delivering the budget last Friday, said beginning August 1 2021, every affected Fijian unemployed in the formal and informal sector above 18 years would be entitled to a monthly allowance of $120 for six months provided they receive the first dose of the AstrZeneca vaccine. Several other help initiatives in the budget also requires vaccination.
“It’s a sad aspect because they must be very open minded about vaccinations.
“It’s a personal choice and whether they made the choice in accordance with Government’s wishes or not, they must be respected.
“Government is responsible for the wellbeing and welfare of all the people and they should hand out those assistance regardless of what the people have done in regards to vaccination.”
