Ministry to Repair 3000 Cane Access Roads

The Ministry of Sugar has identified and prioritised about 3000 roads as part of its cane access road upgrade this financial year.

Line minister, Charan Jeath Singh said the Budget increase for cane access road works from $2 to $4 million this financial year is sufficient to have repairs done on the listed roads.

“The ministry understands and agrees with farmers that without proper road, carting cane to respective sugar mills is a struggle,” MrSingh said.

Meanwhile sugarcane access road committees have been told to monitor contractors to ensure that no sub-standard work is undertaken.

Minister Singh emphasised this to farmers at Buceisau sector at Nagigi, Labasa, early this week.

He said they did not want road contractors doing the work misuse their purpose for monetary gain.

Better roads to increase yield Mr Singh said with Government pumping millions of dollars into repairing cane access road, production of cane should increase.

“The formula of our road contractor payment is up for discussion; we want to hear from the farmers as what’s the best formula,” he said.

“Some contractors are charging by hour while some are charging for distance.

“Sub-standard work leads to the degrading of roads whenever there is a heavy rainfall, the  materials got washed away.

“We want to build roads that ares resilient and can last for years.”

Road committees heads have been urged not to sign completion letters of road works unless they are fully satisfied.

“Don’t sign any dockets of the contractor unless you are satisfied,” he indicated.

Farmer, Rishi Chand, said the road problems and drainage is the biggest struggle for farmers.

Mr Chand said salt water intrusion into farms, affects sugarcane quality and productiveness.

Mr Singh said he would be referring the drainage complaints to the Minister for Waterways.

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