Peceli Naviticoko 
[ FilePhoto ]
Residents of Raukanace, a farming community in Sasa, Macuata, are suffering the consequences of substandard work on their cane farm access road.
They claim a new $28,000 crossing project carried out by a Fiji Sugar Corporation contractor, has left the road and crossing in worse condition.
A resident, Timoci Matavola, said the crossing has made life more difficult instead of better in the three months since its construction.
He claimed essential services like transportation were affected by the poor construction.
Residents and students now walk an extra 3 km to reach their destinations because the crossing can no longer support heavy vehicles like buses, RSL carriers, and twin cabs.
The farming community hopes the government will take the necessary action to address the infrastructure issues before the sugarcane crushing season begins.
Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh confirmed that FSC has not paid the contractor and also said a team has been directed to inspect the work before any payment is released.
