"Now lease money will be paid into a single account for each Tokatoka/Mataqali. This is different to the promised payment to each member and open to abuse."Government had said all money was to be distributed equally (and not, unequally by rank, as previously) but no mention was made of how. Of course, one common tokatoka or mataqali account is open to abuse, as is all trust money, but surely Fiji Today doesn't expect every single person whose name is registered in the Vola Ni Kawa Bula to open a separate bank account -- even where there are no banks. My estimate is that this would require over 250,000 new bank accounts.
Fiji Today would be making a more positive contribution to Fiji's future if it criticised government when criticism is due, did its arithmetic, and suggested a better way to distribute the money and prevent abuse. Or they could at least say this is a fairer and more open system than was previously in place where provincial administrations and chiefs at several levels took their cut with the balance being paid to the grassroots landowners -- Based on 2011, No:0243/MOI
N0102. NLTB DISTRIBUTE $40.1 MILLION. This is the amount distributed in 2010, after NLTB had deducted its 15% adminisitation costs. Rent arrears, $25m at the start of the year, were reduced to $17m by year end.$25 million and by the end of the year it had reduced to $17 million. The NLTB is considering out-sourcing its lease money collection.
N0103. PRIMARY SCHOOL FEES AND FUNDING. State grant-aided primary schools, all of which receive a government fees grant of $30 a child, are not to charge fees over $10 a child unless that have prior approval from the Education Ministry, and anything charged in excess must be refunded. The government announcement follows concerns about much higher fees beeing charged by some schools. Teachers Association General Secretary-Maika Namudu says the all-up $40 fee is insufficient to run a school.
10 comments:
Oh but Croz, you don't even come close to criticising when it IS due...you appear lathe to even mention anything 'negative'even whne it is on the public record. You actually provide the excuses before the regime even has time to come up with any or bother to even inform the public.
@ Saras'sista... That's what balance is. Leaning out one way to counter the imbalance the other way. If you'd advise the other opponents of the Bainimarama government to be more balanced, I'd follow suit. Meanwhile, if overall balance is what you want, you must think I'm doing a good job. Many vinaka.
It would not take much for each family of a Tokatoka/Mataqali to have a bank account for family members and this is how most landowners read Franks announcement. Giving a lump sum to each trustee account is only continuing the past problems but shifting it from chiefs to trustees.
Tinkering with the problem does not solve it. I already know of two trustees who are going to foward the normal percentage to their Ratu. The rest of the trust members are to timid to protest and claim their share.
NLTB 15% administration costs...?
Can you think of anywhere at all in the world where 15% would be considered a 'reasonable' rate to deduct for admin costs? Those responsible would be sackd then and there! Outsourcing should be imperative and it should be done NOW! 3% MAXIMUM for administration. Who is creaming off this fat? It would merit a riot anywhere else.
@ Rusi and Cicero ... I totally agree. I'll add your comments to my main posting tomorrow. Croz
It was always a known fact that infants were entitled to their fair share of lease money. its nothing new. But its good that it is being highlighted so that those who "didnt know" will now remember.
Can any "grass roots" land owner make a comment about how their lease payment has changed under the new system? This is, assuming you are now getting an equal share, how much has the payment increased compared to the old system?
We have no idea what we are entitled to under the new system. Some Mataqali are not even sure of the number of members. In the past I have recieved around $220 per annum as we have a resort on part of our land. I also would have no confidence in our trustee as he has a checkered past and now has control of our money. In the modern economy it should not be difficult to direct credit all accounts. This in theory should reduce the amount required as commission by NLTB.
PS Fiji Todays stirring has at least highlited the new problem and I see no issue for every citizen being required to have a bank account. I am sure the banks would waive fees to have the monies move through their accounts.
@ Samu Seniloli.....
I am equally sure that the banks would NOT waive fees. Why ever should they? They expect to be paid for administration just like anyone else (although they are often grossly overpaid!). Nothing comes for nothin' especially in today's world. Everyone should have a bank account of somekind and if the Fiji Post were up to scratch we would own Post Office accounts once again which were affordable and more easily accessed than the banks. What happened to mobile Post Office banking and to the mobile banks which visited schools under enlightened post-Colonial governments?
Primary School Fees - How can one achieve a Knowledge Based Society - Pillar 9 of the People's Charter on the miserable Primary School fees of $10 a year? A Knowledge based society must have good libraries at primary school level as its base and they require the appropriate funding. Why can't parents be taught to be financially literate and plan ahead for their children's education i.e. planting the tavioka, dalo and yaqona now to sell for next year's fees.
Post a Comment