COVID-19: Soldiers, Police Help Keep Order Outside FNPF

The presence of Police officers was evident yesterday at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Lautoka branch, as people crowded the entrance in hopes of financial assistance.

Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto said the RFMF had two operations that were ongoing.

“We are doing two operations; one is to support Police and the other is looking after national vital assets like reservoirs, pumping stations, beacons for aircraft and transmission towers we do every time,” he said.

“The officers that came in the morning just came to start it off and the rest will be unarmed from now,” he said.

“Police officers were deployed to manage the crowd at the FNPF complex and not only there, but other situations where crowds had gathered, to ensure safety and reinforce physical distancing measures as directed by the Honourable PM and the Ministry of Health,” he said.

A Republic of the Fiji Military Forces soldier stands guard outside the Fiji National Provident Fund Lautoka branch on March 30, 2020.

According to the criteria on COVID-19 FNPF assistance, members still did not provide the proper paperwork and many of them were sent back without being able to apply for cash withdrawal.

Jope Ratu, 45, an employee at the Pearl Resort, said he was one of those who were not able to apply..

“I did meet the FNPF COVID-19 assistance criteria as imposed by Government in their budget, but I was still confused about the form, which only my employer could provide me,” he said.

Meanwhile, a man who chose to be anonymous, but works in a tourism sector from Lautoka, said his application was successful.

“My employer had filled and gave me the application form,” he said.

One of the officers from FNPF said some members were still entering for withdrawal without bringing the proper forms from their employers.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj