The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) locomotive drivers are under scrutiny for alleged misconduct related to office abuse. Reports suggest that some drivers may have been consuming kava during work hours. This issue was raised by farmers from the Wainikoro Sector in Labasa to Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs.
Minister Singh expressed his disapproval of this behavior, emphasizing that both his ministry and the FSC would not tolerate such actions. Farmers have raised concerns that kava consumption could be causing delays in the train trips to Wainikoro for sugarcane transportation.
In addition, the ministry is currently examining a serious accident that occurred at Lausa, Tavua. Singh is awaiting a detailed response from the FSC regarding the incident. To enhance oversight of locomotive operations, Singh has requested the installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) units in the locomotives. This technology would allow for real-time monitoring of the locations of the drivers and the locomotives.
Singh highlighted the importance of timely transportation of the locomotives to farms to maximize sugarcane collection for milling purposes.