$11m In Ratepayers’ Arrears Owed
Nausori Town Council and Nasinu Town Council made submissions to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on the 2018-2019 Audit Report on Municipal Councils.
This took place at Government Buildings in Suva yesterday.
Nasinu Town Council
Nausori Town Council and Nasinu Town Council chief executive officer Anurashika Bari revealed that the Nasinu Town Council was owed $11million in ratepayers’ arrears.
Ms Bari said the major revenue for Nasinu Town Council were rates and garbage. She said this when answering a question raised by SODELPA Member of Parliament Aseri Radrodro.
“Nasinu does not have a fully flashed business district unlike Nausori and Suva. We have a decentralised town. There are 11,252 rateables properties in Nasinu,” Ms Bari said.
“We are thankful to the Government for providing the subsidy. The Nasinu boundaries are from the four miles bridge which is after Cunningham Road to the bridge before the Rups Complex.”
Mr Radrodro asked Ms Bari that in terms of services provisioned by the council, what plans do the council have in terms of sporting facilities, swimming pool or a multi-purpose court.
“This is the area that the council needs to uplift the game in, especially in terms of sporting facilities. We do have a multi-purpose court, but it has not been maintained for a while which is located in Valelevu,” Ms Bari said.
“Valelevu ground is there, but as you know it would be converted to a satellite bay. In Nadera, there is a ground, but if you see it every morning and afternoon it is fully used by most of the sporting clubs.
“We have a ground in Narere and we are working with some sporting organisations in terms of how to develop it.”
Nausori Town Council
The Nausori Town Council is looking at renewing the lease for the Ratu Cakobau Park.
Ms Bari revealed this while answering a question raised by SODELPA Member of Parliament Mr Radrodro about the status of Ratu Cakobau Park.
“Six years is left for the lease, and we have met and are working with the iTaukei Land Trust Board to follow the proper processes,” Ms Bari said.
“Ratu Cakobau Park sustained damage during Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Ana, and we received a prohibition notice. The work on Pavilion A has been completed and work on Pavilion B is about to start.
“Hosting games during the day time is not an issue, but night time will be an issue as the lights need fixing and this is an expensive exercise.”
She added that Ratu Cakobau Park was expected to re-open in two weeks.
