Minister admits monitoring problem of cane access road upgrades

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Upgrading works on Daku Road in Macuata, a fairly large sugarcane farming community. Picture: FT FILE

THE lack of monitoring of cane access road upgrades — those conducted by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and those done by Pacific Community (SPC) — is a major issue for canegrowers, says Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar.

Mr Sudhakar agreed with concerns raised by farmers during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation in Rarawai, Ba yesterday on the issue.

Farmers at the consultation raised their concerns with Mr Sudhakar and a Sugar Ministry team about the problems they faced with certain contractors tasked to fix cane access roads.

“I admit there has been a problem in monitoring, not only with Fiji Sugar Corporation,” Mr Sudhakar said.

“We’ve also seen a similar problem with European Union (EU) and Pacific Community, who are looking after the cane access road, FSC and Government too.”

He said he had received a lot of complaints about gravel roads that were diminishing in width.

Mr Sudhakar said the possibility of having a monitoring team was being discussed with FSC.

“Monitoring will be enhanced and we have to put more officers on the ground.”

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