Thousands of people and the country as a whole has been relying on the sugar industry for years but if you visit the Lautoka Sugar Mill, it is kept like a junkyard.
Those are the words of Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama after he visited the sugar mill late last week.
Commodore Bainimarama said many people have been led to believe that the mill upgrade through the 86 million dollar loan from India has fixed the mills but he said this is definitely not the case at the Lautoka Sugar Mill.
He said it is clear that farmers will continue to be disheartened if they are facing numerous mill breakdowns during the crushing season.
Commodore Bainimarama said he is determined to ensure that politics is completely taken out from the sugar industry because he said many people have used the sugar industry as a political football to gain votes over the years.
Meanwhile Commodore Bainimarama has made it clear that consultations need to be carried out first before any decision is reached to close the Rarawai Sugar Mill.
He said wide consultations with all industry stakeholders would determine the impacts of the proposed mill closure.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Lautoka Sugar Mill kept like a junkyard-PM
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