Government pays $25 million in rent for office space annualy.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum highlighted this while speaking at the National Budget Consultation in Nausori yesterday.

provisional candidate and former Nausori Town Council Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Lazel asked the minister whether the Government had set up alternatives as solutions to counter this massive cost.

“Is there a team or is there a committee in the Government that can investigate such government facilities that their rent is still valid,” she said

“Just to decrease the rent issue the Government is paying.”

In his response, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the $25million is the total sum on office rent only and not land cost.

“What I said about rental was that we pay about $25 million, and I stand to be corrected on the exact figures, in renting office space not land,” he said

“For instance, in Suva we have Suvavou House and we have Ro Lalabalavu House and southern buildings.

“We rent it from private businesses or provincial councils and that’s the rent we are paying.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also disclosed that they would also set new office spaces and buildings in the Nasinu corridor.

“We also announced in Parliament we’re looking at moving and getting some offices and new building, moving it out of Suva into the Nasinu corridor,” he said.

“Most civil servants reside in these areas, saving time hence they are not stuck in traffic.”

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