It’s an insult to label those that own land as poor according to the Fiji Development Bank.
The bank made the statement in response to the Preliminary Report on Poverty and Income Distribution launched by Professor Wadan Narsey claiming poverty percentages had increased in rural areas.
The report was an analysis of Household Income and Expenditure Survey for 2008 -2009.
“Any study on poverty will be appropriate for landless people in urban and rural settlements,” the statement said.
“To say that people with land or have access to land are poor is an insult.
“The failure of people to utilise the land to support them cannot be considered as a poverty issue - this is an enterprising issue.
“No doubt there is poverty in Fiji.
“It is the price people will pay for the various developments taking place in the Country.
“This is what economists say “pareto optimality” – we cannot make others rich without making others poor.
“The most developed country in the world is not spared from poverty.”
FDB further highlighted that instead a feasible research option is the needs of those living in squatter settlements.
Additionally noted by the statement was the happiness of the lives of some of those considered poor.
“There was a study carried out in Naitasiri in 2008 by UNDP - it showed that the average Naitasirian is much happier than an average person in Sydney,” he said.
“Who is poor? Do we want rich people to continue manipulating this land or we want happy people living in peace. Lets vote for peace!”