FORMER prime minister and National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has criticised Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka over discussions to privatise the Fiji Sugar Corporation, accusing him of making statements without taking action.
Mr Chaudhry questioned Mr Rabuka’s understanding of the sugar sector following comments about a possible sale of the State-owned sugar miller to a private entity.
He claimed that despite establishing a Special Parliamentary Committee on Sugar in July last year to address long-standing industry challenges, the Prime Minister had not convened a meeting of the body.
“He hasn’t called a single meeting of that committee since it was formed,” Mr Chaudhry said. “If he says he is trying to privatise the industry to sell it to somebody, I don’t think he understands the situation properly.”
Mr Chaudhry accused the Prime Minister of ignoring cane growers while challenges in the industry continued.
However, National Federation Party leader and Parliamentary Sugar Select Committee member Professor Biman Prasad rejected Mr Chaudhry’s criticism, saying he was responsible for the decline of sugar industry institutions.
“He is the man who was responsible for the destruction of the sugar industry institutions,” Prof Prasad said.
He defended the committee’s work, saying members, chaired by the Prime Minister, had conducted field visits across Viti Levu to meet growers, with visits to Vanua Levu planned.
He said the committee was assessing both immediate relief measures and long-term strategies for the industry.
Prof Prasad said sugarcane farmers under the current administration had received the highest cane prices in the country’s history, with further recommendations being considered to address challenges, including the impact of the fuel crisis.
Questions sent to Mr Rabuka remained unanswered when this edition went to press last night.
