NFU has a new National President

[posted 18 June 2010, 1300]

FBC news continues with its propaganda concerning former NFU President Sanjeet Maharaj relinquishing his position at last week’s NFU Executive Board meeting in Ba.

“The position of national president has been filled by NFU district branch officials on a rotational basis for a long time now. This gives all districts an opportunity to serve as national president”, said NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry.

Mr. Maharaj had a three year stint as national president and was asked by the Ba, Lautoka and Labasa branches to make room for another district which he did voluntarily. Mr. Surendra Lal of Labasa branch was unanimously appointed to replace Mr. Maharaj.

“In any event, this would have happened earlier had the NFU been allowed to hold its AGM which was deliberately not permitted by the authorities under the pretext of public emergency regulations”, Mr. Chaudhry said.

As for NFU’s decision not to endorse the current industry policies of the interim government, we refer our readers to our website story titled ‘NFU statement on the Sugar Industry’ posted 18 February 2010.

This fully explains the NFU’s position and no further elaboration is required in the matter.

Regrettably, the sugar industry continues to slide deeper into the abyss of extinction. This year’s crop estimate is 1.9 million tonnes down 0.4 million tonnes from 2.3 million tonnes last year.