Serious concerns have been raised by the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce in regards to termite infestation in the Sugar City.
While speaking during the Termite Taskforce Meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Lautoka Chamber of Commerce representative, Pranil Krishna says it is disheartening to see that when families are having dinner, termites fall on the table or on their dinner plates.
He says they have also received feedback from residents in Lautoka that sometimes when they sleep at night, pieces of timber fall on them because the structures are weak due to termite infestation.
He also says sugarcane farmers are telling them that this year, their sugar production will be less as they are also experiencing these issues.
Krishna adds this issue has also caused landlords or property owners not to renovate their properties because the cost of renovation is high.
The representative says one of the reasons why people are not reporting cases is because they are embarrassed when a Biosecurity Authority of Fiji vehicle stops at their home.
He says if the authorities can come up with other solutions rather than demolishing peoples’ properties because it would be costly to find another home or to rebuild. He has also called on government agencies and stakeholders to work together in creating a safe space for people to live in.
Meanwhile, 150 termite-infested properties have already been identified in Lautoka.
It was highlighted by the Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Sakiusa Tubuna that the situation is so dire that some houses will need to be demolished because the termites have already compromised the integrity of the structures.
While talking on the issue regarding termites infesting sugarcane fields, Rentokil Initials National Termite Manager Peter McCable says there are some species of termites found on sugarcane but it does not affect the sugarcane quality.
He says the Asian Subterranean Termites that has been causing so much damage in the country is not found in sugarcane farms.
