JUST two weeks after the end of crushing season, workers at the Labasa mill have started maintenance work in preparation for a fresh start next year.
Yesterday, a group of workers was busy repairing the railways along Naqai and Nacula while others continued maintenance work at the mill.
Labasa mill manager Karia Christopher said it was only proper they started these works to ensure full and normal operations come the next crushing season.
"This is the maintenance season for us and we are using the little resources and funds available to carry out the proposed work," he said.
"While we are waiting for other major components needed to be fixed in the mill, we feel it's our duty to make do with the little we have for the purpose of producing an efficient and operational mill next year."
Given the old age of the mill, he said it was a good idea that they started repairing now so issues like derailment and transportation problems were solved before the next crushing season.
"To ensure increased cane production, we have to improve infrastructure and cane transportation so farmers can continue to supply more cane to the mill. With this, we will be able to increase production and hopefully, meet out target of producing one million tonnes of sugar by 2014."