Minister Says Sugar Road Repairs Limited by Funding Shortfall

As the sugar crop season gets underway, concerns are once again mounting over the poor condition of sugar roads across the north, with many routes remaining far from ideal for heavy cane transportation.  Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Julius Espat, acknowledged that while efforts are made each year to address the issue, limited funding continues to be a major challenge. Espat revealed that his ministry is allocated just one-point-five million dollars annually to tackle sugar road repairs, an amount he says falls well short of what is required to bring the network up to acceptable standards.  According to the minister, the deterioration of sugar roads is accelerated during crop season due to constant heavy traffic, and without a substantial increase in funding, only temporary or partial fixes can be carried out.  When asked whether his ministry would play a role in the recently formed sugar committee, Espat was candid in his response. He suggested that while dialogue is important, a committee without the financial resources to implement solutions would have limited impact, describing such an arrangement as somewhat pointless if it lacks funding to effect real change.

As cane deliveries intensify in the coming weeks, farmers and transport operators continue to call for longer-term investment in sugar road infrastructure, warning that poor road conditions increase costs, delays, and risks across the industry