Charan Jeath Singh has issued a stern warning that he will not condone corruption within his ministry.

The Minister for Sugar and Multiethnic Affairs highlighted this to members of the media following a consultation with sugarcane farmers at Vunimoli Primary School in Labasa on Sunday.

“If we find out any staff at FSC, or within my ministry that has a habit of doing these little dirty things,
they will be fired,” he said.

“In previous years, a lot of money was abused by the contractors even by the staff. These things we will
not tolerate.”

Most farmers had raised the issue of alleged corrupt practices within the ministry and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).

These sometimes hindered farmers from trusting the ‘system’.

Mr Singh said he was aware of this and had warned that any further corrupt practices in the future would not be entertained and would be dealt with.

With the allocation received in this fiscal year, the Ministry of Sugar and Multiethnic Affairs intend
to use it rationally so all matters of legitimacy are addressed.

The ministry was allocated $51.7 million.

“We want to use it the best way and properly,” he said. Singapore company to fix FSC railway system

Meanwhile, Mr Singh is pursuing talks with a Singapore company to rebuild FSC’s railway system.

Despite not naming the company yet, there is optimism the ministry will find a solution to rebuild the country’s old and deplorable railway system.

“Definitely, we would like to see all tramlines back in action. We are talking to this company in Singapore,”Mr Singh said.

The railway system is an alternative for FSC to reduce transport costs.

He said the railways have been neglected for years and it was time to give it proper attention.

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