FIJI’s premier fish-processing company resumed operations on Monday after a seven-week temporary shutdown.
In a statement, Pacific Fishing Company Limited (PAFCO) said it had to shut down for annual maintenance.
The statement said the normal shutdown period was two to three weeks but as a result of unscheduled urgent upgrading required for the cooling system that uses ammonia gas, and PAFCO’s inability to source required parts from Australia and New Zealand over the Christmas holiday break, the upgrading did not start until the middle of last month.
The company said the upgrading work in this area was conducted by MILMEQ, a New Zealand-based primary food processing equipment manufacturer.
“Upgrading included training on ammonia safety and awareness using material from the Ammonia Technicians Association of New Zealand (ATANZ),” the statement said, adding the training was attended by two Labour Ministry reps.
“PAFCO wishes to assure its valued customers and the people of Levuka and Lomaiviti Province the company’s business and the livelihood of its 800 plus workers are well-maintained and secure.”
According to the Finance Ministry, the government, which owns 98 per cent of PAFCO, approved a loan of $US3million ($5.74m) in 2012 to enable the company to upgrade its fish-processing facilities to comply with US Food and Drug Administration requirements this year.
