The National Federation Party is wasting no time in gearing up for the 2018 General Elections.

The Party has recently appointed former chief executive of the Sugar Cane Growers Council, Jagannath Sami as the full time General Secretary to focus on the logistics of the party.

Sami who has had a distinguished career in the sugar industry says as the new General Secretary of NFP, he is aware of the mammoth task ahead.

“There’s a wide range of activities that I am expected to carry out from now till election. I was initially concentrating on the sugar industry and has worked 37 years in the industry. I chose NFP for which I had contested election previously. My main priority right now is to strengthen the party further and communicate the party’s policies and also gage the issues that is worrying the people out there.”

Sami was appointed by the NFP Management Board in conformity to a resolution unanimously adopted by delegates at the Party’s Annual General Meeting last month.

NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad is confident Sami will form a formidable combination with Party President Pio Tikoduadua to ensure success next year.

“Given his extensive experience and understanding of issues not only for sugar cane growers but for issues generally, it’s a great boost and great addition in our planning and team to take the NFP to the election in 2018.”

For now, Sami has no intention to contest but to assist the Party in the 2018 General Election.

He replaced Bala Dass who has resigned to concentrate on his role as General Secretary of the Fiji Cane Growers Council Association.