The Biofuel Project on Rabi Island needs a cash injection to boost its production, says project manager Michael McComber.

This request was relayed to the Government team that visited Rabi last week.

Mr McComber said he needed a total of $30,000 to purchase copra, diesel and pay labourers’ wages.

The project is still under the control and direction of Government through the Ministry of Education’s financial literacy programme.

“We still need the cash to keep the project running,” Mr McComber said.

He said while copra was bought at 55cents per kilogram they were selling biofuel to four villagers with an average weekly consumption of 88 gallon per week at $10 per gallon.

Mr McComber said that excess coconut oil was sold to Copra Millers at $1.35 per litre.

“Another threat to the project is the solar system that is being used by some villagers. It can become a blessing for the project when the focus is on coconut oil marketing to generate quick cash,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr McComber said plans to uplift the standard of living on the island will depend on the availability of funds hence the request to the Government team.

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