The Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, Dr. Jiko F. Luveni yesterday told more than 80 delegates from Asian-Pacific Parliaments that Fiji is committed in progressing and advancing the targets set under the Millennium Development Goals.
Dr. Jiko was addressing Speakers and Members of Parliament during the two days meeting on “Parliament Event on MDG’s and Acceleration and Post 2015 Agenda “held in Surabaya; East Java, Indonesia earlier this week.
In her opening speech, Dr. Jiko noted that despite the absence of a parliamentary democracy over the last 8 years in Fiji, the country continued to progress its obligations under the MDG goals.
Under MDG 1 eradicating poverty and hunger, Dr. Jiko says Fiji’s commitment is evidenced by introducing policies such as a food voucher program under the family assistance program, increasing the income tax threshold to those earning $16,000.00, tax free on essential food items, free bus fares for the elderly; subdivision of lands and 99 years leases for those living in squatter settlements.
On Gender Equality, Dr Jiko says Fiji is also on track in promoting gender equality and empowering women in our education sector among a number of initiatives.
In concluding her speech, Dr. Jiko says Fiji has made enormous progresses in trying to achieve all of the eight MDG goals.
Although there are challenges, we are on track to achieve five of them by 2015
and at the same time the government is also committed and positive that the other three goals will be realized.
