Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has issued a strong rebuke of the government’s economic management, arguing that its missteps are leading to increased hardships for ordinary families, particularly through rising food prices and declining public services. Usamate emphasized that effective governance demands “clinical precision,” which he believes the current administration has failed to demonstrate as it grapples with the fundamental issues behind the economic downturn.
Usamate’s criticisms revolve around what he sees as the government’s inability to address critical problems. “The law is a straight line and governance is about clinical precision. Instead of that, we see a Government that lacks the gumption to address the root causes of this economic drift,” he stated, underscoring his concerns about policy inconsistencies and the current state of the nation’s infrastructure and service delivery.
Highlighting the everyday struggles of citizens, he pointed out, “Having dry taps and broken roads in 2026 while food prices skyrocket is proof that this administration is more interested in political survival than in actual service delivery.” These remarks resonate with families facing heightened financial stress due to the economic climate.
In his quest for solutions, Usamate expressed a strong commitment to reforming what he termed the “machinery of the state” through technical discipline and structural changes. He called for a move away from historical grievances and a focus on proactive solutions: “We do not need more history lessons or excuses about the past. We need a forward-looking solution.”
Proposing concrete measures, Usamate suggested a restructuring of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods, alongside targeted price stabilization strategies aimed at easing the financial burden on households. “We will restructure VAT on essential goods so families can breathe again,” he added, emphasizing that these measures should focus on supporting families rather than bureaucracy.
He concluded with a message of optimism, asserting that while Fiji faces significant challenges, they are not insurmountable. “Fiji is not broken but it has been mismanaged and that mismanagement is reversible. We need leadership that understands that every cent taken from a family grocery bag is a failure of governance,” he remarked. This outlook highlights a belief in the possibility of positive change through responsible leadership and thoughtful policy reforms, aiming for a brighter future for all citizens.