Government should use funds provided by the European Union for the sugar sector to repair the rail system in the North, says National Farmers Union general secretary and former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
In a letter to Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) chief executive Bhan Pratap Singh, Mr Chaudhry outlined the dismal state of the rail network on Vanua Levu in the wake of recent cyclones.
“This vital cane haulage infrastructure was damaged by cyclones Yasa and Ana earlier this year,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“However, no repair work has as yet been initiated to have the line restored for the 2021 crushing season.”
Mr Chaudhry said Mr Singh would be aware that most farmers in the Daku and Wainikoro sectors delivered cane by rail and they were small holders who relied solely on family labour for harvesting and loading cane on rail trucks.
“They cannot convert to lorry gang because of labour constraints and because cartage by lorries would be uneconomical for them.
“Given the fact that a large proportion of cane in these sectors is grown on hilly terrain, the best mode of haulage of their cane is through the rail system.”
Mr Chaudhry informed Mr Singh that many farms in the Wainikoro sector were located on marshy land, not suited to haulage by heavy lorries.
“We have taken advice on the issue and have been informed that the necessary repairs to restore the lines can be completed in three to four months.
“This gives sufficient time for it to be operational by August 2021 should repair works be initiated without any further delay, seeing that two months have already been lost without any work being done.”
Questions sent to Mr Singh, Prime Minister and Sugar Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan on the issue raised by Mr Chaudhry remain unanswered.
