The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, has dismissed criticism surrounding talk of an early closure of the Labasa Mill, saying that operating a sugar mill is far more complex than what some commentators claim, reports The Fiji Times.
“Let me be clear — running a sugar mill is not like making jaggery at home,” Singh said. “It is a detailed industrial process that produces sugar for both local and overseas markets. Decisions must consider technical needs, costs, and safety, not politics.”
Singh was responding to remarks from Opposition leaders and a former politician who suggested the mill’s crushing season could end soon. He stressed that the date of November 24, mentioned by the Sugar Industry Tribunal, is not a confirmed closure date.
“Labasa Mill will receive seven days’ notice before the crush ends, after discussions with the Corporation and the Council,” he said.
The Minister said he visited the Northern Division last week with senior officials to meet farmers, inspect fields, and look into cane supply concerns. He pointed out that stoppages caused by cane shortages added up to 754.4 hours, compared with 122.2 hours of mechanical downtime.
He also highlighted that almost 90% of the cane reaching the mill is burnt, which makes processing more difficult because burnt cane has to be mixed with fresh cane to maintain sugar quality.
“Our team checks the situation every day,” he said. “The Government will keep the mill running as long as it is technically possible and economically sensible, in the interest of farmers and the sugar industry.”
