25,000 families will benefit under the Poverty Benefit Scheme

25,000 families will benefit under the Poverty Benefit Scheme, over 4,000 households will benefit through the Care and Protection Scheme and 26,000 senior citizens will get assistance under the Social Pension Scheme in the 2017/2018 National Budget.

This has been highlighted by Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa while speaking during the 2017-2018 National Budget debate in parliament.

Vuniwaqa says that this budget ensures that the people of Fiji are given important attention by the government.

She says that the increment of food vouchers for pregnant women from $30 to $50 will encourage them to book early for anti natal clinics and get proper nutrition.

The Minister stresses that the allocation of $7.9 million for persons with disabilities will allow more than 7,300 people to live a dignified life.

While supporting the 2017-2018 National Budget, Vuniwaqa also stresses that the allocation of $200,000 for the management of the domestic violence toll free line is a crucial service to the victims of domestic violence.

Vuniwaqa says it is easy for the opposition to keep on saying that the allocations are not enough for the Ministry.

She also says that it is easy for the opposition to rubbish the Help for Home Initiatives as waste for money.

Vuniwaqa also says that when the government empowers a child, it also empowers a mother of the country.