Motion defeated in parliament to increase funding for reforestation of degraded forests

A motion by the Opposition to increase funding in the 2017/2018 National Budget for reforestation of degraded forests was defeated in parliament today.

$500,000 has been allocated for the reforestation of degraded forests and the opposition wanted the amount to be increased.

While supporting the motion, Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula said that the government should stop saying that they are the only government that is doing reforestation.

He also said that laying the blame on resource owners is unfair.

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum then hit back at the Opposition saying that the government knows that reforestation of degraded forests is important.

Sayed-Khaiyum also brought to light what he called some of the funny business that was happening in the Fiji Hardwood Corporation in the past.