Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama might go on international engagements once a COVID-19 vaccine is produced, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told the Committee of Supply in Parliament yesterday.
He made the comment after National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad questioned the $350,000 allocation for PM’s overseas travel allowance in the 2020-2021 National Budget.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there had been a substantial reduction in the PM’s travel allowances compared with the last financial year.
He said the turn of events were unpredictable.
“If the borders open and there is a vaccine, he (PM) will travel,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Prof Prasad said the allocation was queried given the closure of international borders.
“I question the allocation of $350,000 for overseas travel allowance in this financial year given the closure of international borders due to COVID-19,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PM’s office was given an allocation of $14.9 million in the 2020-2021 National Budget.
