There is no accountability towards sugarcane farmers, says newly appointed Fiji Sugar Corporation board member Paras Ram at a budget consultation in Tavua.
Mr Ram has returned to live in Fiji from the United States and is presently a board member of the Rarawai Penang Cane Producers Association and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin.
“Actually, everybody is saying the previous government has spent too much money obviously they did, but there was no accountability how the money was spent where it went,” he said.
Mr Ram claimed road contractors in Tavua did shoddy jobs to rehabilitate cane access roads.
“I am an advisory counsellor and upon complaining there was nothing done so that is where the problem lies – its in accountability whether it’s in the government sector or private sector when it comes to farmers.”
He said the cane access roads are not only used by the farmers but also by the public.
“So, when the budget goes big on the sugar industry for farmers access road, there are other people benefiting from that too.
“I know for some people it’s not a very big thing that they want to hear but I think it’s a practical matter, we have to put our money in a better place, in better use that everybody benefits from it.”
“I want to say it again, there is no accountability whatsoever.”
