A LAUTOKA advisory councillor and canefarmer claimed growers in Luvu sector forked out money from their own pockets to hire a bulldozer to temporarily fix an Irish crossing so they could deliver cane to the mill.
Speaking at the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Lautoka on Wednesday, Samshad Ali also said a number of farmers interested in planting cane had been discouraged by inaction from the Fiji Sugar Corporation in making equipment available for land preparation.
“I met (FSC chief operating officer) Navin Chandra in November because some farmers in my area asked me to take their names and acreage, they were interested in planting cane,” he said.
“After that, Mr Chandra went on leave.
“The farmers haven’t got cash for bulldozer; the operator in our area doesn’t want to work with the grant money, he wants cash.
“We also have an issue with an Irish crossing, it was half washed away in 2009 floods and completely washed away during TC Winston.
“The prime minister came and surveyed it, and it was reported to FSC but nothing happened.
“This year, farmers spent their own money to grade the crossing and deliver cane to the mill.”
In response, Mr Chandra said there was a lack of bulldozers, however, the issue was being addressed.
“In terms of the crossing, we are in the planning phase for this year’s investment into crossings and we will definitely look at your crossing,” Mr Chandra said.
