GREED led to the downfall of the Fijians Helping Fiji Cooperative Ltd which should have been fully operational, claims founding member Ratu Levani Roko.
Ratu Levani said the co-operative started in 2015 to uplift the standard of living of Fijians.
FHFC’s objective was to improve rural development and reduce poverty by creating thousands of farming jobs in Fiji.
However, by January 2016 there was a split in FHFC’s leadership with executive members Suliasi Tamanivalu, Ratu Nimatari Colaudolu and others including Ratu Levani claiming they had been unfairly dismissed.
“We travelled around to Vanua Levu, Lomaiviti and to the Yasawas doing our awareness. When there were a lot of members, we were pushed aside and our service was no longer required,” said Ratu Levani.
“This was a genuine co-operative until we were pushed aside. You know what hurts the most is these villagers gave with a willing heart that FHFC will in return help them. One village, I can remember, gave $7000 while another gave $700,” Ratu Levani said.
Ratu Levani said he did not know how much FHFC CEO Waisea Kikau and chairman Ratu Meli Vesikula were being paid because they were only signatories recognised by the bank.
