Restoration efforts at the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s Rarawai Mill are progressing well, with critical mechanical, electrical, and control system repairs underway following a significant fire earlier in the year. Sugar Industry Minister Charan Jeath Singh has confirmed that the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has implemented a comprehensive rehabilitation plan aimed at not only restoring operations but also enhancing safety and efficiency.
As of October, the project status reveals that mechanical and civil works are 50% complete, with electrical works at 36% and instrumentation at 33%. Factory trials are anticipated to commence in late November, and Singh reassured stakeholders that the planned restart of crushing operations in early December remains unaffected. Although infrastructure upgrades, including roofing and standby diesel generators, are expected to continue until May 2026, these will not hinder the operational schedule.
The FSC faces challenges in the procurement and shipping of imported components, ensuring compliance with strict quality and safety standards throughout the repairs. Singh emphasized the rehabilitation’s importance for maintaining national milling capacity, which is crucial for the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers across Fiji.
Final assessments of the repair costs are still pending, as technical teams and insurers complete their evaluations. However, ongoing discussions suggest a commitment to supporting farmers during this transition, including logistical and financial assistance as they redirect cane to other mills.
The restoration work at Rarawai is seen as a vital step in furthering Fiji’s sugar sector resilience, illustrating the steadfast efforts of the government and the FSC in overcoming challenges. There’s a prevailing sense of optimism surrounding the sugar industry’s recovery, bolstered by proactive measures and collaborative initiatives aimed at ensuring a stable and sustainable future for all stakeholders involved. The reconstruction efforts not only aim to return to full operations but also promise improved infrastructure and safety protocols moving forward.