It is quite unethical to use the death of a victim’s father to gain political mileage – Singh

The Ministry of Employment is still progressing with its full investigations with the assistance of the Fiji Police Force in the case where a 20-year-old woman tragically passed away in a ferris wheel accident during Fiji Showcase six weeks ago.

This comes as Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry expressed serious concern and regret at the sudden death of the woman’s father and says this is the second tragedy to hit the family within six weeks and it is even more tragic that the father should pass away without a closure on his daughter’s death.

While expressing his deepest condolences to the family, Singh reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment towards the conduct of a thorough investigation into the ferris wheel accident and ensuring that justice is served.

He says the Fiji Police Force is also conducting their separate investigations including the testing of the ferris wheel’s mechanical drive.

He says they are corresponding with the Fiji Police for the release of this report as it is vital to the conclusion of their investigation.

The Minister says however, they cannot disclose the full details of the investigation report as it is confidential and can jeopardise the finalisation of the investigation process.

Singh further says it is rather unfortunate that Chaudhry who, as a former senior trade unionist is fully aware of the processes involved in such investigations and is making comments that are completely uncalled for.

He says it is quite unethical to use a sad occasion like this to gain political mileage.

Singh says it is worth noting that Chaudhry had earlier called him to enquire about the progress and he was briefed on the processes involved.

The Minister has kept the family informed of the progress and has personally visited them to express his condolences.

Chaudhry says the woman’s father was diagnosed with hypertension and admitted to the CWM Hospital on Tuesday and died Wednesday night.

He says close family members say he was distraught after the death of his favourite daughter who was engaged to be married later this year.

Chaudhry says he had come to see him on several occasions expressing concern at the delay by the Employment Ministry in completing the investigation report on the accident. He says he has repeatedly questioned the Employment Ministry on delays in finalising the report on the accident and there has not been any satisfactory explanation from Singh.

The former Prime Minister says it is unacceptable that an inquiry into the accident should take more than six weeks to finalise.