Back in history | Roads turn to slush | Poor standard affects cane belt

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A Public Works Department bulldozer works on a portion of the Wainikoro, Labasa Rd. Picture: FILE

IN 1990 the poor standard of roads in the Northern Division’s cane belt was an issue of concern for the Fiji Sugar Corporation.

An article published by The Fiji Times on May 17, 1990 stated Labasa mill general manager Ratu Tomasi Korovakaturaga said some of the roads needed urgent attention to bring them up to the standard needed for the crushing season.

“I feel some assistance is warranted so we do not have to face any problems when crushing starts,” he said.

He made the comment after visiting a number of cane growing areas with field manager Mohammed Rafiq and field superintendent Timoci Naivaluwaqa.

He said he had also raised the matter with Fiji Sugar Commission chairman Gerald Barrack when he visited Labasa.

Many roads in the division, especially in Seaqaqa and Wainikoro were turned into slush as a result of heavy rain.

And more than 90 people were stranded at Wainikoro after buses got bogged down and had to be moved by bulldozers.

Ratu Tomasi said the year before, 4000 tonnes of cane remained standing in the fields at Seaqaqa and one of the reasons was the poor condition of roads.

In 1989 Government had allocated $200,000 towards the upgrading of cane access roads.

Asked about the 1990 crop, Ratu Tomasi said he would be able to give an estimate after he had completed visits to all sectors and met his field officers.

The team visited Wainikoro, Daku and Bucaisau sectors and Seaqaqa.

But on the whole, Ratu Tomasi described that year’s crop as good, indicating a good season.

Labasa Mill crushed close to a million tonnes of cane the previous year.