Fiji Sugar Corporation’s CEO, Graham Clark says Rarawai Sugar Mill is closed over the weekend to replace the main drive shaft on the cane carrier.
Clark says repairs will be completed today to resume crushing.
He says cane lorries from Rarawai have been diverted to Lautoka during this time.
Clark confirms Lautoka Sugar Mill is crushing normally and has crushed throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says there has been concerns raised that cane lorry drivers were forced to look for their own meals, sleep overnight inside their trucks during the cold nights, and there is no provision of any toilet or bath facilities.
Prasad says NFP’s Vice President Davendra Naidu went to Rarawai Mill yesterday and found only a handful of drivers while more than 100 lorries loaded with cane were lined outside the mill, which was broken down.
The NFP Leader says they feel sorry for all lorry drivers and operators, growers, cane cutters and mill workers who are suffering.
When questioned, Clark says cane lorry drivers are given meals in the event of long mill stops and also offered transport home and return.
He adds ablution facilities are available at all mills.
We have also sent questions to the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sugar, Yogesh Karan.
