Residents living below the poverty line in Lautoka have requested Government to lower the cost of basic food items in the 2023-2024 National Budget.

Vunato Settlement resident and mother of five Mele Fatafehi said this would allow struggling families a chance to survive.

“A chunk of the family’s expenses is for buying food, which is why Government must address this issue in the National Budget,” she said.

“The prices of food items are expensive even for noodles and tuna. The supermarket where we buy has increased its prices, they are unaffordable now.

“We struggle with the price of children’s uniforms at around $14 or $16 and school sandals is $20, we are hopeful Government lower these prices.

“My family and I are grateful we serve a living God who provides for us during these tough times.”

Lovu Housing Assistance Relief Trust (HART) homes resident Ashiana Begum requested that the overall Value Added Tax percentage be lowered.

“We want VAT to go down and also the price of gas. We also want the price of baby milk and diapers to go down and Government to increase the $50 monthly social welfare because I pay rent and that’s $10.50 a week, plus my EFL bill is about $20 then there is the water bill,” she said.

“I have stayed here for eight years and I am looking after my granddaughter while my daughter is at school, My two elder sons don’t support me so I survive on social welfare. I cannot work because I am a heart patient.

Lovu HART resident Lanieta Adidakuna said most families depended on social welfare assistance.

“I don’t have any financial supporters in my family and that’s the case for most residents. A good number of whom are not employed and rely on social welfare. $50 social welfare is able to buy three or four food items,” she said.

“Some supermarkets hike up their prices at the end of every month so we want Government to monitor these.”

Lovu HART resident Vishi Latchmi, 66, hopes the 2023-2024 National Budget will include more assistance initiatives for social welfare recipients unable to secure employment due to health problems.

“My husband died a few years back when I was in Suva and I have three children, my son pays my rent every month and I pay my electricity and water bills. We want government to bring down the price of milk, rice and sugar,” she said.

“Sometimes there’s no food, I will take a cup of tea with biscuits and then cry to God for help because I am alone here.”

Story by: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj