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The Labasa Fiji Sugar Corporation mill has not been operating for one week and lorry drivers are waiting in long queues for their harvested cane to be crushed.Fiji Sugarcane Growers’ Association chief executive officer Labasa branch, Mohammed Rafiq said the performance of the mill improved in the past weeks but machines have again been playing up.“During the beginning of the crushing season this year in the month of June, the mill was facing some teething problems resulting in the difficulties faced by the farmers,” he said.I have daily meetings with the Labasa FSC mill general manager, Karia Christopher and I often visit the mill to see for myself how the mill is operating.” He said the problems means that drivers are waiting for longer periods and are taking a lot of time away from the farms and their families.The mill breakdowns have led to a lot of tension because lorry drivers just can’t leave their trucks and go home.” I applaud Mr Christopher’s efforts as he is
working around the clock with his team to fix up the breakdown in the mill.He said lorry drivers and farmers are finding it difficult to understand the situation as they have put a lot of effort into harvesting their cane, bringing it to the mill. But with the continuous mill breakdowns, it makes their job harder.Farmers are working very hard bringing in cane to be crushed at the mill and I believe if there were no breakdowns, farmers will continue to bring in more cane and the Labasa mill will produce more sugar compared to other mills in Fiji.”He said that he and his team have been imploring with farmers to bear with the millers and farmers have given their assurance that they would continue to supply cane.Fiji Sugar Corporation media liaison officer, Samu Railoa confirmed that the mill is on a breakdown and will efficiently operate again in a few days.The Labasa mill is one of the country’s four sugar mills
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