Time to Pack Up and Go: FLP Calls for Sugar Minister’s Resignation

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has launched a scathing attack on Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh, calling for his immediate resignation over what it calls “reckless mismanagement” of the sugar industry.

In a strongly worded statement, the FLP said, “It’s time for Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh to pack up and leave before he actually destroys the sugar industry. And he should take with him his self-chosen chairman Nitya Reddy.”

The party cited alarming figures to back its claims: the 2024 cane crop dropped by 300,000 tonnes to just 1.3 million, while sugar production hit a record low of 139,000 tonnes.

The FLP also condemned the extravagant overseas travel spending of Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Chairman Nitya Reddy, who reportedly spent $111,000 on five international trips in just one year—an issue revealed in a recent parliamentary question.

“It has been a high-holiday year for both the Minister and his chairman, but an extremely low year for FSC and the industry as a whole,” the party stated. “The Minister himself has spent even more on travel, bringing their combined overseas expenses to around $300,000. Such reckless profligacy of public monies is inexcusable—no matter how much the Minister tries to defend it.”

FLP criticised the Minister’s recent request for an additional $500 million to fix the sugar mills, as reported by the Fiji Times on April 3.

“Minister Charan seems to have a problem with money—he simply can’t stop spending taxpayers’ funds,” the statement read.

The party further questioned the Minister’s silence on two key issues raised by Chinese consultants: the proposed closure of the Lautoka Mill, and his own unfulfilled promise to build a new mill in Ra.

“He has been caught bluffing farmers time and time again on issues that matter to them,” the FLP said.

The party concluded by expressing disappointment in the lack of response from the leadership. “Pity, the Prime Minister remains blissfully oblivious to a disaster looking him in the face,” the statement read.

The FLP says the time has come for accountability, not excuses—and that the sugar industry cannot afford to continue under current leadership.