Govt revokes permit for NFU's Labasa meeting

[posted 22 May 2009,1600]

The annual general meeting of the Labasa branch of the National Farmers Union had to be cancelled after the interim government revoked a permit it had issued earlier.

A permit was issued on 12 May 2009 to NFU’s Labasa branch to hold its AGM on Saturday 23 May 2009 at the Labasa Civic Centre. It was revoked by the authorities today (Friday 22 May) and no reasons were given.

This is the second time in a week government has revoked a permit for an NFU meeting. The first was in Lautoka last Saturday (16 May 2009) when the Union was stopped from holding its General Body Meeting (national AGM).

NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry who had already travelled to Labasa for the branch AGM said he was very disappointed.

“There is a growing sense of frustration among farmers that their genuine concerns are not being addressed. The high cost of fertilizer, the escalating costs of harvesting and transporting cane to the mills this season are among serious issues that need to be addressed before the onset of harvesting.

“In Labasa many farmers have received nothing in their last cane payment due to heavy deductions, despite the understanding that no deductions would be made from the 4th cane payment to allow farmers to meet harvesting expenses.

“The answer, obviously, does not lie in stopping farmers from meeting to discuss their concerns, but in addressing these issues which are fundamental to sugar production this season. Failure to do so, will seriously jeopardize the industry,” said Mr Chaudhry.