CANE lorry operators and farmers in Vanua Levu should expect a little relief now that upgrade works for cane access roads have started.
Provincial administrator for Macuata Josefa Rokonai yesterday said the upgrade works began on Monday.
"A group of contractors are working on all the roads from Seaqaqa to Wainikoro in Nadogo," he said.
"We used $450,000 for the proposed work and this is not part of the $1million allocated by government to fix all cane access roads in the country.
"At the moment, we have yet to receive funding assistance from the allocation by government on all cane roads in the country this year," he said.
Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi said close to half a million was distributed to cane sectors in the west for the upgrading of such roads and the same would be done to the north soon.
National Farmers Union president Surendra Lal said it would be a relief for farmers if the roads were maintained.
He said most of the cane lorry drivers in Labasa still found it difficult to transport cane to the mill because of poor road conditions.
"The extent of damage of roads is severe and we are calling on relevant authorities to allocate sufficient funding for the maintenance of these roads," he said.