1

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=136387

 

$1m FSC damage bill 

Samantha Rina 
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 

THE cost of repairs required to rehabilitate the sugar industry after Cyclone Mick 
has been estimated at $1.049 million. 

This estimate given in a preliminary report submitted by the Fiji Sugar 
Corporation to Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Manasa Vaniqi. 

Mr Vaniqi said findings in the report concentrated on the Lautoka and Rarawai 
sugar mills and that there were no reports of damage received from Labasa Mill. 

"At Rarawai, the cost of damage is estimated at $172,000 and at Lautoka, it was 
about $287,000. There was minimal damage to Penang Mill," he said. 

Mr Vaniqi said most of the damage was to infrastructure, particularly to cane 
access roads, tramlines and also the walls of a sugar storage shed in Lautoka 
which had since been repaired. 

"Overall, the estimated cost of damage caused by the cyclone and repair works 
is $1.049m. Of this sum, $459,900 accounts for mill and plant equipment at the 
mills and $589,800 for railways, bridges and cane access roads," said Mr Vaniqi. 

He said since the figures were estimates, he expected a lower sum in FSC's final 
report. 

Mr Vaniqi said the damage caused by the cyclone was not extensive and did not 
warrant government assistance. 

"All the repairs will be accommodated by FSC and these should be completed by 
the beginning of the next crushing season," said Mr Vaniqi. 

He said FSC was now working towards having water and electricity supplies 
restored at the Lautoka and Rakiraki mills, with debris having been cleared from 
tramlines yesterday.