24 Dec 2012

Half of businesses in Fiji's Lautoka without power, a week after cyclone

4:11 pm on 24 December 2012

The Lautoka Chamber of Commerce in Fiji says half of the businesses in the city are still without power following Cyclone Evan.

Lautoka was the hardest hit when the cyclone struck a week ago and the clean up is nearing completion.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Byara Singh says he is disappointed half of all businesses are waiting to have their electricity restored and says more private contractors need to be hired to do the work.

"The power poles are broken. In some places the lines are broken. So they are still repairing. And they should have got more into the business houses in Lautoka city. Priority, they should have prioritised Lautoka City itself. The business community will to some extent suffer."

Byara Singh says he hopes electricity will be restored to all business by Thursday.