PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has accused the Opposition of bad-mouthing the 2018-2019 National Budget.
Officiating at the opening of the Government Roadshow in Wainunu in Bua yesterday, Mr Bainimarama said this was the case even though the Opposition had initially praised the budget which was meant to benefit Fijians.
Mr Bainimarama said such was the political status quo in Fiji these days.
Addressing the people of Bua in the Fijian language, Mr Bainimarama urged the people not to mind such political statements.
With the upcoming general election, Mr Bainimarama said people should expect politicians with their manifestos approaching them in their villages and communities.
He said most of these manifestos were against the intentions of the government’s budget.
He said that political parties would try to print and air their manifestos in radio stations and newspapers.
Mr Bainimarama said these were part of politicians’ efforts to let their intentions be made known to people and, at the same time, to seek attention.
According to Mr Bainimarama, the budget announcement was an indication of where Government was moving, adding that change was not only by word of mouth, but something that needed to be practised.
Bainimarama said the 2018-2019 National Budget was based on the previous budgets over the past 10 years, with this year’s budget focusing on the development of the family unit.
He told people that the Government’s contribution would ensure Fijians had access to the necessities of life.
