The Fiji National University Students Association (FNUSA) welcomes the increase in the price of sugar and hopes it will save many Fijian lives.

This comes after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) made a determination to increase the ex-warehouse price by 90 cents per KG.

“Every year sugar-related non-communicable diseases claim the lives or limbs of thousands of Fijians. We shockingly have the highest diabetes rate in the world,” said association president, Ketan Lal.

“It’s not just sugar itself, but countless sugar-filled products such as alcohol and candy that kill our people.

“FNUSA hopes people take this higher price as a positive reason to change their lives, especially our youth who, as future leaders of the nation, need to be healthy in body, mind, and soul.”

The youth leader urged Fijians to find healthier alternatives.

Mr Lal also expressed concern that some politicians who were aggressively speaking out against the sugar price change and heavily politicising the issue, while spreading misinformation.

“Some politicians speak against the sugar price increase while in the same breath attack the Government on kidney dialysis. The major cause of kidney failure is diabetes, which sugar plays a significant role in. They are signalling to our youth that these politicians have no real interest in saving lives.

“Our sugar industry is something to be proud of as one of our largest industries supporting thousands of families. These politicians are discouraging farmers from investing in the lifeblood of our nation.”

The FNUSA President has urged all Fijians to come together and not be divided because of hard times.

“We must not lose ourselves and our unity which has brought us so far. Every country has good times and bad.

“We will weather this storm together.”