THE Fiji Cooperation of Rehabilitated Enterprises (FCORE) is set to be in full operation mode by 2012 or as early as next year.
FCORE a commercial arm of the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Services (FPCS) is a government created enterprise under the Public Regulation Act with capital input from Government.
Its dual objectives are the commercialisation of projects within the prison services and for rehabilitation of inmates.
On a tour of the Naboro Prisons Complex on Tuesday, December 14, it was evident that FPCS was determined to achieve its objectives through the establishment of FCORE.
“FPCS is determined to achieving its objectives and these are the commercialisation of projects under the Yellow Ribbon Projects and establishing FCORE,” said FPCS marketing personnel Isoa on Tuesday.
“We have dalo farms, a piggery, poultry, joinery, tailor and a bakery, which are all ready for commercial operation.
“We are also establishing market opportunities before we expand our production to sustain our supply,” Mr Vuki said.
On December 10, Commissioner of Prisons Ioane Naivalurua opened its newly refurbished and OHS certified bakery at the Naboro Maximum Security Prison.
According to Mr Vuki, the bakery is a good source of revenue for Government.
“In the past, bread used to be supplied from Naboro to all Government schools and institutions like Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Fiji Police Academy and many more,” Mr Vuki said.
“For some reasons, this was halted and there is a need to revamp this exercise so Government can spin its revenue within its machinery.
“The Ministry of Health has inspected our bakery prior to its opening and gave the all clear. It is so much cleaner than most commercial bakeries.
“We were to begin supplying bread to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital from January 2011, but this has been shelved until few logistics are sorted out between the two parties.
“We will soon approach other institutions and government ministries to supply them with our bread,” said Mr Vuki.
According to Mr Vuki the FCORE will or should be in full operation by 2012, meaning all commercial arms of FPCS will be in better position to sustain its production to meet commercial expectations and demands.
He added that FCORE would also employ inmates and those who completed their sentence and were discharged would also work in partnership with FCORE for the marketing of their produce.
Some, Mr Vuki said could be hired as employees of FCORE because of their skills.