Chaudhry demands Sugar Minister removed over Lautoka Mill 'disaster'

Fiji Labour Party leader and National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has called for the immediate removal of Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh, describing the Lautoka Mill's performance as a "disaster."

Mr Chaudhry's comments follow a statement from the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) confirming an extended shutdown of the Lautoka Mill after a leak was found in one of its boiler tubes during a routine inspection last Thursday, June 19.

Minister Singh refused to comment on Mr Chaudhry's call. FSC chief executive officer Bhan Singh said the shutdown, initially scheduled for Saturday, June 21, was necessary for repairs and safety checks.

However, further pressure testing revealed more tube failures, prompting a longer delay to allow for full replacements and retesting.

"All harvesting gangs were notified in advance, and the yard was cleared to ensure safety," Mr Singh said.

Despite these efforts, Mr Chaudhry said the National Farmers Union (NFU) was alarmed by continued operational issues at the mill. Mr Chaudhry claims no sugar has been produced, with harvested cane going to waste.

"In the two weeks since crushing began on June 12, the mill has stopped six times, including a major breakdown over the weekend of June 21," said Mr Chaudhry.

Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

"It was also shut down for three days last weekend and only resumed late Monday, June 19."

He blamed boiler and diffuser problems for repeated breakdowns, which he said have caused cane juice and bagasse to spill and rot.

He also criticised the lack of transparency from the mill, saying no weekly crush reports have been issued.

"There is no way of knowing how much cane has been delivered to date. The losses to farmers and FSC are enormous," he said.

Mr Chaudhry accused FSC management and the Sugar Ministry of "sheer incompetence" for starting the season prematurely.

"Minister Charan Jeath Singh hasn't even visited the mill. He hasn't apologised to farmers who have suffered massive losses while their cane sit in trucks for days," he said.

"The Prime Minister must now act. Singh must go. So must board chairman Nitya Reddy and the top FSC executives responsible."

However, Mr Singh rejected NFU's claims, stating that Lautoka Mill successfully produced its first sugar on June 19 and that no sugar was lost.

"The first 10 days of operations are typically used to identify and fix issues that may not surface during the offseason," Mr Singh said.

"This may cause some disruption, but it's necessary to ensure stable operations going forward."

Despite the reassurance, Mr Chaudhry said farmers in Ba, Tavua, and Ra have voiced their concerns about the upcoming crush at Rarawai Mill, fearing a repeat of Lautoka mill's failures.

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