Taxpayers in Fiji have incurred a cost of $111,046 for five overseas trips taken by Nitya Reddy, the chair of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), over the span of one year. This expenditure has raised discussions in parliament, where Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh defended the journeys as “necessary” for addressing the significant challenges facing the sugar industry.
In a response to written questions from Parliament, Minister Singh emphasized that Reddy’s travels were vital for understanding and managing the deteriorating state of the FSC, which has been burdened by a legacy of systemic neglect, including an aging infrastructure that largely dates back over a century. He specified that close to 90 percent of the mill’s machinery and transport networks require urgent attention.
Highlighting the context of these trips, Singh remarked that the FSC’s board members, among the lowest compensated in the country, were grappling with a staggering debt of nearly $400 million. He pointed out that past mismanagement and corruption have contributed to this dire situation, including a single project costing the industry nearly $800 million in losses.
Reddy’s travels included attending an ISO Conference in London and Toulouse, inspecting a new sugar mill in China, engaging in discussions with industry representatives in Brazil, and collaborating with government officials in Australia. Singh commended Reddy’s expertise, stating, “I have a person whose knowledge and skills are unmatched.” He urged critics to refrain from judging Reddy’s contributions based solely on his overseas trips.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring Fiji’s competitiveness in the global sugar market, acknowledging that the industry was trailing behind its peers in innovation and efficiency. Singh articulated a vision of revitalization, stressing that the overseas journeys have been enlightening, with a clear objective to modernize and enhance the sector’s sustainability.
Comments on this topic suggest a hopeful perspective for the future of Fiji’s sugar industry. With strategies focused on modernization, investment in infrastructure, and increased international cooperation, there is potential for a resurgence in an industry that has played a pivotal role in the nation’s economy.
The challenges ahead remain significant, but the proactive stance taken by leaders could lead to positive transformations, benefitting not just the FSC but also the numerous stakeholders dependent on this vital industry.
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