DISTURBING the sugar industry with lies has become an annual ritual for some, says Fiji Sugar Corporation board chairman Nitya Reddy.
In a bid to clear the air about uncertainties surrounding the opening of Ba’s Rarawai Mill, Mr Reddy called out political voices trying to disrupt the industry’s operations amid preparations for the new crushing season.
“Destabilising the industry with grossly exaggerated falsehoods, all with the single most damaging intent of creating pre-crush disruptions and uncertainty surrounding the orderly commencement of crush, has become a predictable annual political ritual for some,” Mr Reddy said.
“Such irresponsible weaponisation of the industry, fuelled by their ambitions to revive their plummeting political stocks, and at the expense of the national economy and livelihoods, must be strongly condemned and called out.
“Let me be absolutely clear, Rarawai Mill will operate this year and beyond.”
Mr Reddy said there was no basis whatsoever for the false claims being circulated.
“Our workforce is in place and all operational preparations are progressing as scheduled.”
Yesterday, the Sugar Industry Tribunal issued a statement confirming the commencement of crushing at Rarawai Mill next month.
Tribunal registrar Timothy Brown said following the receipt of a submission from the FSC and after consulting with the Sugar Cane Growers CEO Vimal Dutt, the tribunal had ordered the Fiji Sugar Corporation to commence crushing on June 24.
“Growers in the Rarawai Mill area should begin harvesting and delivery of cane on June 23,” Mr Brown said.
“The tribunal will announce in September the expected date of termination of crush for Rarawai Mill as per Regulation 4.8 of the Master Award after reviewing the harvesting and crushing performance of Rarawai Mill.”
