Vanua Levu receives a stepmotherly treatment when it comes to development and investment opportunities, says Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
During a recent visit to the North, Mr Chaudhry said there was no investment in terms of development on Vanua Levu and this was why it was becoming depopulated.
“Because there is nothing here to engage the people,” he said.
“When we engage people to ensure they stay back in rural areas, there needs to be investment to employ them and generate economic activities.
“Vanua Levu has great potential but no attention has been given to it. Agriculture has great potential in the North but they don’t have any development plans.”
Mr Chaudhry said the feedback from the communities was very similar to that of Viti Levu.
“It included all issues, especially increasing food prices despite the removal of VAT on 21 basic food items.
“Nothing seems to be going right and life is simply becoming unaffordable for poor families.
“Despite removal of VAT, prices are still the same, so there’s no relief and this initiative of VAT removal has come too late.
“When it should have been removed, they didn’t do it, so it’s another added burden to the people of Taveuni who are paying 35 cents a litre more for fuel,” he added.
Mr Chaudhry believes the Government could assist people further through subsidies, especially for low-income earners.
