Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the concerns raised by sugar industry stakeholders during the Parliamentary Sugar Select Committee meeting in Rakiraki today are consistent with issues already discussed by Cabinet and the committee.
Speaking after the meeting, Rabuka said the session provided an important opportunity for Government to hear directly from those involved in the industry, including cane farmers, transport operators and others who depend on the sugar sector.
“They raised a lot of issues that we had raised and talked about in Cabinet, as well as in the special committee, and I’m glad that we are facing them,” he said.
Rabuka said hearing directly from stakeholders reinforced that the concerns being discussed by Government accurately reflect the realities on the ground.
“They know that their views are heard directly, whereas when talking in Cabinet or in the committee, we have been bringing in what we have heard from the people involved on the ground – the millers, the farmers, the transporters and those that benefit from the industry. Today, we are face to face with them.”
The Prime Minister said the feedback received during the meeting was no different from what had already been presented to Cabinet and the Sugar Select Committee.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to hear them directly, and what they bring up is not different from what we have heard in the committee and in Cabinet. So, it’s good to have proof that it’s really what the people on the ground are saying.”
Rabuka also noted that stakeholders had come forward voluntarily to share their views with the committee.
Asked whether Government had the funds to provide further assistance to cane farmers, the Prime Minister said the matter would need to be worked through.
“We will have to work that out,” he said.
