Essential services for its ratepayers will continue even though the Suva City Council expects a delay in rate collection during the COVID-19 period.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua has given his assurance that they will always try their best because timely service was a council priority.

Mr Tikoduadua said the council had been fortunate that Suva ratepayers were up to date with their payments.

“For now, we understand that many people are going through financial hardships and we have some measures to put in place on a case by case basis,” he said.

“It will be a challenge for people, but we will try to continue with essential services always, that’s priority.

“We have contingency plans in place so that when things come up we are able to address it.”

He said the council was working on digitising a number of its services by the end of the month.

“We will digitise all building applications now, by the end of this month it will be online,” he said.

“People also need to know that despite the pandemic we are still processing business licences including building permits, we are open to these services.”

Council staff members received their COVID-19 vaccination at the Suva Civic Centre yesterday.

Mr Tikoduadua said the vaccination was important for the council because it continued its operation as an essential service and with about 600 personnel.

“We want to make sure that our workers are easily accessible to the jab so they are working fully protected.”

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