Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu says he is disappointed that Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh was not present in Parliament during discussions on important issues affecting the sugar industry.
Seruiratu raised the concern during debate on the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs' Review Report on the Sugar Cane Growers Council Annual Report 2022.
He says Singh was only served a yellow card for one and a half hours and also did not attend any of the meetings of the Special Committee on Sugar.
Seruiratu says they are discussing serious issues affecting the sugar industry and need people who are serious about the sector.
Parliament Speaker Filimone Jitoko says he will leave it to Singh to explain his absence.
The Opposition Leader further says let's support our farmers, without the farmers, there will be no FSC, so let's provide all the support that's needed to keep the industry going.
Seruiratu says he hopes that the Government will take the lead, particularly from the Office of the Minister, because it's serious and they really need all the efforts from both sides of the House.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says the Sugar Cane Growers Council plays an important role in looking after the welfare of cane farmers.
Kamikamica says one issue identified by the Special Committee during its consultations was the need for adequate farmer representation on the Council.
He says urgent attention needs to be given to the issue and hopes it can be addressed before the end of the financial year, either through elections or the nomination of farmer representatives.
Kamikamica also supports recommendations for timely financial reporting, better demographic data on farmers and improved financial transparency within the Council.
He says there needs to be a clearer breakdown of financial information so people can better understand how Government grant funding provided to the Council is being used.
Kamikamica also supports the introduction of key performance indicators for the Council and says proper farmer representation should be addressed as soon as possible.
