National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad says the increase in the price of sugar aimed at bailing out a bankrupt Fiji Sugar Corporation.

Prasad said the increase in price by 90 cents per kilogram is yet another example of complete lack of compassion and empathy towards the people by a heartless government.

He said this latest episode of heaping more misery on the people is similar to government’s refusal to remove extra 20 cents per litre duty on fuel imposed in 2020.

“Despite fuel prices hitting the roof and adversely impacting the cost of other services. The hike in price of sugar will have a similar flow-on effect,” he said.

“It is totally ridiculous for the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to camouflage this unjust and unfair action by saying it will boost the income of cane growers.

“This is the kind of sugar-coating adopted by this government and its agencies to hide the mess they have created,” he said.

He said the government despite pumping in millions of dollars into the Fiji Sugar Corporation has miserably failed to revive the industry.

“It has also failed to boost production because it wants to manage everything with an iron-fist by totally dismantling the rights of growers who are the important stakeholders,” he said.

“This latest act of inflicting more pain and misery on the people is another reminder of the type of governance imposed on the nation in the last 15 years.

“Fortunately, the people have a chance to see a new dawn of hope, equal opportunities, fair-play and justice after the elections,” Prasad said.

By Nacanieli Tuilevuka