Opposition MP Jone Usamate has criticized former Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh, arguing that his recent reassignment was not a realignment but an essential move to rescue an industry that had struggled to thrive under Singh’s leadership. In a statement, Usamate described the Prime Minister’s decision as marking the conclusion of a “disastrous chapter” for the sugar sector.
Usamate expressed that Singh’s tenure was characterized by neglect, as he accused the former minister of focusing on international travel rather than addressing the escalating challenges within the sugar industry. He recalled, “For three years, we were treated to a masterclass in global tourism disguised as ministerial work,” highlighting that Singh’s travel expenses, which included over $111,000 funded for his chairman’s trips and nearly $138,000 for his own, overshadowed genuine engagement with the industry’s pressing issues.
The MP pointed out the stark contrast between promises made in Parliament and the reality facing sugar farmers. He remarked on the current status of the fields, lamenting: “Eighty-five thousand tonnes of cane are left standing, rotting in the sun from Sigatoka to Rakiraki,” which Usamate deemed a betrayal of the farming families reliant on this crop. He stressed that the unharvested cane represented the forsaken livelihoods of those who had put their trust in their leaders, resulting in millions of dollars of lost income for vulnerable communities.
In addition, Usamate criticized the former minister for his inadequate responses to requests for farmer assistance. “When farmers asked for help, he gave them ‘the rules’. When they asked for compensation, he gave them ‘politics’,” he stated, suggesting that only the regulations managing his travel budget seemed flexible.
Usamate indicated that the Prime Minister’s decision to shift Singh to a role in Culture and Heritage held symbolic significance. He remarked on the irony of the situation, noting that under Singh’s oversight, the sugar industry had transformed into “a heritage site of what used to be a thriving national backbone.” He concluded with a poignant observation, “You don’t move a winner,” reflecting his belief that the reassignment was a clear indication of Singh’s failure in his previous role.
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