From left: Fiji Sugar Corporation executive, chairman Abdul Khan, with the Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Lieutenant-Colonel Manasa Vaniqi. Photo: MINFO NEWS
By SHEIK DEAN
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) says revitalising and upgrading the sugarcane railway system is still very much on the cards and there are a number of things they are looking at.
Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman, Abdul Khan, said: “The industry is reviewing if the railways need to be of narrow gauge or wide gauge and the cost of developments.
“FSC will also ensure that it is value for money, in-terms of investments with the railroads used to produce delivery as well.”
The railroad project will cost $20 million and will be developed through a proposed investment by FSC.
Mr Khan said FSC is also looking forward to utilise the railway system to try and get congestion off the roads.
“There are a number of places whereby the railway and road run parallel to each other. FSC railways can be used as a people mover as well,” he said.
Our rail system is in use only during the harvesting season of six months and through this plan will be in constant use with train systems expected to commence by 2016.
Cane access roads project
Meanwhile, three pilot projects for cane access roads upgrades in Lautoka have been given the green light – a project which will be funded by the European Union.
Mr Khan, said the Cane Access Roads Committee will work closely with the European Union on which access roads need upgrading.
This follows a meeting in the past week between the Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Lieutenant-Colonel Manasa Vaniqi, stakeholders of our sugarcane industry and European Union Head of Delegation in Fiji, Andrew Jacobs.
The three pilot projects are expected to start sometime this year.
Cane supply shortage
The Lautoka Sugar Mill, despite urges from FSC and relevant stakeholders, is still facing low harvested cane supply.
“Supply is still low of what had been anticipated with the mill doing well in-terms of quantity received for crushing,” he said.
Mr Khan has stressed if the sugarcane supply is consistent, the industry could do even better.