The Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, has announced that the boilers at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) need replacement due to their age. Speaking to cane growers in Drasa, Lautoka, he emphasized that “the heart of any factory or any sugar mill is the boiler itself.”
Singh indicated that the next step is for the FSC to present the ministry with the necessary specifications for new boilers. “We will ask them what they require, and our next capital project will be focused on installing new boilers,” he stated.
Notably, the Lautoka and Rarawai mills are around 145 years old, highlighting the need for a continuous maintenance program. The minister noted that all machinery requires regular servicing and repair.
He expressed concern that the efficiency of the industry has been hindered by problems inherited from the previous government. “As much as we aim to operate efficiently, the funding allocated for machinery maintenance was not appropriately used by the last administration,” he explained.
Singh reported receiving frequent calls from growers across Viti Levu, particularly from Lautoka, Ba, and the cane belt areas. In contrast, he pointed out that the Labasa mill is operating effectively, resulting in fewer inquiries from Vanua Levu.
“We aim for the trucks to transport cane to the mill and return swiftly, allowing them to handle multiple loads in a single day. We stand with the farmers and are committed to revitalizing the sugar industry together,” Singh concluded.