It has been alleged in the Suva High Court that former Minister for Agriculture Apisai Tora and former Assistant Minister Marieta Rigamoto personally benefitted from the Farming Assistance Scheme in 2001.

This was alleged by former Principal Accounts Officer at the Agriculture Ministry Suliasi Sorovakatini who has chosen to give sworn evidence in the official corruption trial against him and Suncourt Hardware Director Dhansukh Lal Bhika.

Sorovakatini alleged in court yesterday that upon a directive from Tora, diggers and tractors were provided to prepare Tora’s land in Sabeto and they also provided dalo sucklings which were planted on the land.

He said this was done under the Farming Assistance Scheme and was worth $25,000.

Upon further questioning by defense counsel Mehboob Raza, Sorovakatini also alleged that Marieta Rigamoto was provided farming implements and chemicals under the scheme worth around $15,000 for her farm in Navua.

While speaking on the scheme, Sorovakatini highlighted that once word of the free farming scheme reached the people, they were receiving around 500 people every day at the Ministry seeking assistance.

He highlighted how two boats with engines and farming implements totaling $50,000 were delivered to Natoaika in Baulevu where Tora told the people that the farming assistance has never been done before by the Ratu Mara government, Bavadra government, Rabuka government or the Chaudhry government and they were able to do it within six months.

It was also highlighted that a government delegation led by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase went to Rotuma to distribute $300,000 worth of farming implements under the Farming Assistance Scheme.

Sorovakatini revealed that in both instances, a directive was issued by Tora that all preparations and implements are to be ready within one week.

He said everything was approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Sorovakatini then went on to reveal to the High Court that he took leave in May 2001 as he needed a break from work and planned to renovate his personal residence.

He revealed that before applying for a bank loan, he approached Suncourt’s General Manager Manoj Bhika for assistance where Manoj Bhika allegedly agreed to set up a personal account for him at Suncourt Hardware.

Sorovakatini said Manoj Bhika authorized the account so that he could obtain building materials and also alleged that Manoj Bhika arranged for a carpenter to carry out the renovation works at his house and it was allegedly agreed that Suncourt Hardware would pay the carpenter through cash cheques raised through Sorovakatini’s personal account with the hardware company.

Sorovakatini maintained that he never asked for anything from Dhansukh Lal Bhika nor did he ever receive anything from him as all his dealings with Suncourt Hardware were through Manoj Bhika.

The trial continues this morning.


Story by: Roneel Lal