Council Offers Flexible Payment Arrangements to Ratepayers

The Labasa Town Council is offering flexible payment arrangements to struggling ratepayers who owe rates or have accumulated arrears.

Council special administrator chairperson, Paul Jaduram, said they understood people’s financial struggles.

For the ratepayers to clear their accounts, Mr Jaduram said they must try to pay at least a few hundred dollars per instalment.

He said unpaid rates remained the biggest challenge for the council. The amount owed to the council in outstanding rates and arrears is more than $1 million.

“The council needs to continue providing space, and if outstanding payments come in daily, our budget will be stable,” Mr Jaduram said.

He said unpaid rates were a problem for all municipalities, but this sum was excessive for Labasa.

Labasa Town Council special administrator chairperson, Paul Jaduram (right), and special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, during their inspection of Subrail Park in Labasa. Photo: Sampras Anand

Sports tourism a focus 

Council is working on improving the park infrastructure and ground conditions at Subrail Park. Mr Jaduram and special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, visited the park recently.

They witnessed the deteriorating state of the park and have allocated $40,000 for maintenance efforts.

Sports tourism is an area of focus for this administration and Mr Jaduram remains adamant on improving the conditions for more sporting activities.

The Fiji Bitter Labasa Sevens, Skipper Cup, Ranadi Cup and Digicel Fiji Premier League are some of the competitions played that attract many spectators to Labasa.

Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj