By LOSIRENE CHAND
Cane farmers in Wailevu, Labasa are calling on Government to look into the works by contractor’s in-charge of fixing cane access roads.
Whilst thankful for all the Government efforts, these farmers still feel the contractors are letting Government down by not fixing the cane access roads properly.
Wailevu Cane Committee representative Kumale Goundar said: “We are thankful to the Government for their support to repair our roads.
“But I would request they must look into the contractors and their work before giving them the contract.”
This call comes following a few days into the harvesting season, and the drivers are already facing difficulties with the poor cane access road conditions in Wailevu, Labasa.
Prasad struggles with roads
Cane farmer Navindra Prasad said cane access roads and their maintenance remains one of the biggest problems for cane farmers in the North.
Mr Prasad whose tractor was stuck at the cane access road in Wailevu said the road had gotten much worse than before.
“I was my way to the mill this morning (yesterday) and now this has happened, the tractor is stuck and I don’t know how long it will take to get out,” he said.
Mr Prasad further said that he would again line up at the mill probably for the night.
Other also worried
Meanwhile, as lorry drivers line up at the Labasa Mill, Jitendra Swami of Waiqele said they also face the same problem.
“We as lorry drivers do not want to carry big or large loads because the road condition is not safe so we just take small loads of sugarcane,” he said.
The farmers however acknowledged the work and support provided by Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Government.