The FijiFirst has today released its manifesto which includes many new key targeted initiatives.
The party states that it will provide 91,250 litres of water free of charge per year to Fijian households earning less than a total annual income of $30,000.
The FijiFirst said their calculation is based on an average of five members per household and takes into account a World Health Organization report that estimates that an individual requires 50 litres of water each day.
FijiFirst said it will increase the electricity subsidy for low-income families from the current 75 kilowatts per hour to 85 kilowatts per hour.
This will provide immediate relief to thousands of households.
The party confirms that it will continue to place zero VAT on powdered milk, rice, edible oil, tinned fish, flour, sharps and medicine. It will also continue to control the price of basic food items such as rice, flour, potatoes, dhal, cooking oil, and pharmaceutical and medical products.
The manifesto which has been launched by FijiFirst Leader, Voreqe Bainimarama in Nadi in the last hour states that FijiFirst will provide free medicine prescribed by a doctor and currently under price control for all Fijians who earn less than $20,000 a year.
This includes medicine for Non-Communicable Diseases.
An allocation of $8 million will be provided for this assistance to the low-income individuals.
It has been revealed that FijiFirst will follow the lead in taking control of the import fossil fuel, such as petroleum and gas, in place of the existing private companies.
The party said it will call for international tenders for the supply of fuel and the existing companies will then buy that fuel from the government.
The FijiFirst states that as well as being able to negotiate lower prices in the international marketplace, a FijiFirst government will generate revenue from the sale of fuel and be able to pass on the benefits of lower prices to consumers.
They have also promised in the manifesto that the current free tuition education for primary and secondary students will extend to pre-schools from the beginning of the second term in 2015.
According to the FijiFirst, free education will be available one year before admission to primary school at recognized and accredited pre-schools.
The party also plans to increase the ratio of teachers to students in primary and secondary schools by 2016.
It said this will not only result in a better learning environment but will also create jobs for young teaching graduates.
The FijiFirst also said in its manifesto that it will provide 250 millilitres of milk a day to children enrolled in class 1 at all primary schools starting from Term 1 next year.
Preliminary discussions with Fiji Dairy Limited have already taken place and the cost is estimated at $2.5 million.
The party also said that by 2016, the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme will be extended to those who already have a diploma or who are in the workforce and want to gain formal qualifications.
The FijiFirst also said that it will revise the National Minimum Wage Rate upwards in line with the recommendation of the Reddy Report to a new rate o9f $2.32 an hour from 1st July, 2015.
It also said the party will at least double the amount payable under workmen’s compensation for death and injury claims without the need to increase premiums for workmen’s compensation insurance.
On land, the FijiFirst said it intends to continue reforms of the i-Taukei Land Trust Board and to make it more efficient and address issues of corruption within the organization, in particular where landowners have been deprived of their say in the renewal of leases.
The party said it will also ensure that members of landowning units don’t have to pay an application fee when they lease their own land.
Plans are also underway for squatters to obtain 99 year residential leases in Nadonumai, Qauia, Wakanisila in Kalabu and Waidamudamu in Koronivia.
The FijiFirst also said that it will formalise leases on state land that were sold without proper consent in order to give tenants security of tenure and the ability to apply for consent to connect to electricity and water.
It said it will also set aside $10 million to help the i-Taukei develop their land for subdivision and development.
The FijiFirst said for too long, landowners have leased out land for others to develop and make huge profits.
It said this initiative will encourage landowners to get into the business of being landlords while reaping direct commercial benefits from their land.
This funding will be made available as a grant to assist landowners to meet development costs such as provision of electricity, water and roads.
The party said it will uphold and implement the 2013 constitution.
The FijiFirst said it will uphold the rights, freedom and dignity of all Fijians, promote and foster common and equal citizenry, and to build a just and fair society where the benefits of progress include everyone.
We have already made a request to the FijiFirst to come on our special general elections talkback, Straight Talk to discuss their policies, initiatives, revenue and expenditure plans.
We are now awaiting a response from the party General Secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Meanwhile, FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama and SODELPA Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa will appear on our special general elections talkback Straight Talk on Sunday 14th September from 7.30pm.
This will also be video streamed right here.
