The Fiji Sugar Corporation consulted the Sugar Ministry when it sought the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s approval for a 100 per cent rise in the cost of processed sugar.
Prime Minister and Sugar Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this while responding to a question from National Federation Party’s Pio Tikoduadua in Parliament yesterday.
“Very simple, my answer would be that the ministry was consulted and the advice given to FSC was to follow the transparent process as laid down under the law for the review, just like any other company,” the PM said.
Mr Bainimarama also said the NFP was raising the issue in Parliament but had not made a submission during the consultation process.
“Make your submission if you want to be heard.”
Mr Tikoduadua also asked why Government was endorsing a price rise when Fijians were having a hard time financially.
The PM said Mr Tikoduadua had “lost the plot”.
“He doesn’t seem to understand what he is talking about, he asked me in the question whether Government was consulted, and I said yes, the Government was consulted.
“But if he wants a longer response, I want to say that collaboration and transparency have always been the strongest pillars of my Government’s policies which are supported through constructive stakeholder engagements and good governance,” he added.
