The Sugar Industry Tribunal has revealed that it covered an electricity bill for the Ministry of Sugar in 2017, a payment that has yet to be reimbursed. This disclosure was made by tribunal registrar Timothy Brown during a presentation of their annual reports to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. The tribunal, which shares an electricity meter at its office in Lautoka with the Ministry of Sugar, is now looking to recover this amount.
During his presentation, Mr. Brown noted that the identification of this payment arose from an analysis conducted by a newly employed accountant. He mentioned that the tribunal has also been supporting four sugar-related unions financially, which have been operating from their office without the benefit of dedicated bank accounts. These unions, established for different employee categories, had previously relied on the tribunal for payment facilitation, leading to outstanding funds that are anticipated to be settled this year.
Committee chairperson Esrom Emmanuel expressed concern regarding the situation, suggesting that the Sugar Ministry should install a separate electricity meter to avoid further mix-ups in billing. He also recommended that the unions take steps to set up their own bank accounts moving forward.
This article ties into ongoing challenges faced by the Sugar Industry Tribunal concerning financial management and operational hurdles, which have been highlighted in previous reports. A focus on improving fiscal accountability and establishing clear operational boundaries between different entities will present opportunities for enhancing the industry’s overall efficiency.
Overall, while issues surrounding financial reporting and management persist, the tribunal’s vow to pursue overdue payments and enhance its operational practices may lead to a more stable and accountable sugar industry in Fiji. The proactive steps suggested could foster stronger fiscal responsibility and promote a healthier environment for those working within the sector.
Leave a comment