The Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd (FSC) is selling eight mechanical harvesters, 114 cane haulage trucks, 30 Mahindra tractors, and some farm implements after a directive from the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh.
Mr Singh had announced a fortnight ago the sale of the trucks as it cost the company $1 million a year to maintain the 100 trucks.
“I believe that FSC should concentrate on the business of making sugar and not buying trucks. We leave that to the lorry operators and farmers.”
The trucks, harvesters and tractors were bought by the previous FSC management in May 2019 with a view to assist farmers during planting and harvesting.
In a public notice, FSC is asking for expressions of interest from individuals and co-operatives to buy the trucks, harvesters and tractors.
“Only one (1) truck/tractor per grower and maximum five (5) trucks per cooperative will be allowed,” stated the FSC notice.
“Priority shall be given to sugarcane growers and sugarcane co-operatives.”
“The successful bidder shall meet all costs of transfer of ownership, duties, and taxes.”
FSC had purchased the trucks from Carpenters Motors and did not provide the dollar value of the investment at the time of purchase.
Questions sent to the FSC chief executive officer Bhan Singh yesterday remain unanswered when this edition went to press.
