$74 million used by previous government is total travel expenditure including allowances from 2014-2022 - Prof. Prasad

$74 million used by previous government is total travel expenditure including allowances from 2014-2022 - Prof. Prasad

By Navitalai Naivalurua
Wednesday 22/11/2023
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad

While supporting the motion by the Prime Minister to reduce the rates payable for overseas travelling allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Members of Parliament from December 1st 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad revealed that the previous government used about $74 million is total travel expenditure including allowances during their reign from 2014 to 2022.

Professor Prasad says from 2014 to 2022, the total domestic travel of the previous government was $50.4 million, while its overseas travel allowance was $24 million.

He says this is the figure from the Ministry of Finance, and it is quite interesting that the Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, became so confused because he was part of the decision-making in 2016 to increase the allowance in a way that it became so exorbitant.

He adds they are camouflaging it and saying this is a political thing.

Professor Prasad also acknowledged the people for speaking up on this issue and said that he does not blame them as they were afraid of the kind of victimisation, harassment, and intimidation that was happening from 2014 to 2022.

He also highlighted that it is unethical and the worst of all for Members of Parliament to determine their own salaries, which is why the Emoluments Committee in this Parliament is engaging independent experts to do that.


FEATURE NEWS
Floodwater levels in Nadi, Ba, Tavua, Sigatoka and Rakiraki are slowly receding
The water levels in Nadi, Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki are slowly receding. This has been confirmed to fijivillage News by the Divisional Police Command...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Public urged to boil drinking water and practice basic sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases
People are being urged to boil drinking water and practice basic sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases during this heavy rain. While speaking ...
5 hours ago

Flooded areas in Tavua all cleared, floodwater levels in Tavua Levu Village starting to recede
Areas in Tavua that were recently flooded are now clear and accessible to all traffic as the flood has receded while flooding in Tavua Levu village ...
8 hours ago

Floodwater recedes slowly in Nadi, many houses still flooded
Floodwater levels in Nadi are is slowly receding as rain has stopped. This has been highlighted by Nawaka Village resident, Apenisa Naqarase, who ...
8 hours ago

Navua River floodwater level drop
Floodwater level in Navua River is receding. The National Fire Authority say the rain has stopped and no area were flooded. A Flood Warning ...
9 hours ago

Areas in Rakiraki that were recently closed to traffic due to flooding are now open
Areas in Rakiraki that were recently closed to traffic due to flooding are now open, as floodwaters have receded, except for the Raiwasa Bridge and ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Lynda Tabuya dismissed as Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says in light of the recent events concerning the conduct of Lynda Tabuya, and in consideration of the Oath she has ...
22 hours ago

Fijian Drua in Kadavu
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are keeping in tradition with their previous pre-season training and will be in Kadavu till Friday afternoon. The ...
8 days ago

Vanuatu Earthquake
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck at a depth of 57km, occurred 30km to the west of the capital Port Vila at 1.47pm, according to the US ...
9 days ago

TOP