Project, Developments Helping Labasa Grow
“Whatever space is available at the back of the town are taken up by Viti Levu-based companies to expand their business such as Vinod Patel and Company Pte Limited and Courts Mega.”
Sunday 28 April 2024 | 15:15
The current state of Subrail Park in Labasa on April 25, 2024. Inset: Labasa Town Council chair special administrator and Macuata Tourism Association president Paul Jaduram in Labasa on April 25, 2024. Photo: Shratika Naidu
No one can stop Vanua Levu’s biggest town from growing.
This was the sentiment made by Labasa Town Council special administrator chair Paul Jaduram.
Mr Jaduram, after taking up his post on December 27, 2023, soon realised after the opening up of Damodar City, Labasa, that both local and overseas investors started eyeing Babasiga Town.
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The businessman and one of the pioneers of Labasa Town, noted seeing many changes within first four months of 2024.
These included the opening of businesses such as Rups Investment, Optimum Health Pharmacy, Goodlife Medical Centre and many small establishments.
“Now in the town front area we don’t have vacant office space or shop to give away,” Mr Jaduram said.
“Whatever space is available at the back of the town are taken up by Viti Levu-based companies to expand their business such as Vinod Patel and Company Pte Limited and Courts Mega.”
Plans to relocate Subrail Park
In order to accommodate more business openings, Mr Jaduram is considering having a discussion with Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to secure their estate property opposite of All Saints Secondary School in Vulovi, Labasa.
He wants to relocate the Subrail Park to this estate property which is on the other side of Labasa bridge and closer to Damodar City so that more space is created.
“When there is traffic congestion, especially during the morning, lunch hour break and afternoon, the town is full and people find it difficult to move in and out of,” he said.
“There needs to be traffic flow and people need to feel safe and comfortable when doing shopping without worrying about reaching work or home late.”
He said the council wants to see more businesses opening up so people have more goods and services options available.
Moreover, this would create more competition among the businesses and bring in more revenue.
In terms of sporting facilities, he said there was not enough space available at the current site of Subrail Park.
Subrail Park in Labasa.
In a detailed statement by the World Bank, it said the first phase includes work on Labasa and Savusavu domestic airports, as well as an upgrade to the 95-kilometre road connecting the two towns.
The first phase also focuses on bolstering tourism in Vanua Levu, including Taveuni Island, by improving access to and climate resilience of essential services such as drainage, sewage, and transport infrastructure.
The project would also drive the establishment of more than 30 locally managed marine areas in Vanua Levu and improve the management of strategic areas such as the Waisali Rainforest Reserve.
The World Bank country manager for Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu, Stefano Mocci, said the wide-ranging benefits of the programme extended beyond the tourism sector and contributed to the overall socio-economic development and environmental sustainability of the region.
The financing for the programme was on highly concessional terms through the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s most in-need countries.
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