About 400 cane trucks that operate between Rakiraki and Ba will now have to deliver their cane loads to the Lautoka mill, raising the question of how the authorities plan to coordinate their diversion there.
Yesterday, Fiji Cane Lorries Association president Atish Kumar questioned how the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Sugar Ministry would cater for the extra lorries going to the Lautoka mill after a huge fire caused major damage to the Rarawai mill.
“From Wednesday night until now, we have not heard anything from FSC and the ministry except for what we have seen in the media and social media,” Mr Kumar said.
“We know they will bear the cost of fuel by taking the cane right to Lautoka, but will they be able to cater for all of the trucks without being overloaded and breaking down?”
Mr Kumar said many farmers are concerned about the extra costs they have to pay.
“This means more days of waiting in line at the mill and that means labourers will wait until the trucks return.
“The growers have to be looking after the cane cutters while they wait. This is all money out of the growers’ pocket.”
On Wednesday, FSC’s chief executive officer Bhan Pratap Singh said operations at the Rarawai mill would remain suspended until further notice.
“FSC will continue to keep its stakeholders and the general public informed as additional information becomes available,” Mr Singh said.
“The corporation acknowledges the swift response of the emergency services and expresses its appreciation to all parties assisting with the management of this incident.”
