Labasa Town Council warns legal action against rate defaulters

Labasa Town Council says more defaulting ratepayers are beginning to clear their outstanding rates, but warns legal action will continue against those who ignore payment notices.

Special administrator Samuela Ligairi said there had been encouraging progress in the repayment of arrears, although he did not disclose the number of defaulting ratepayers or the total amount owed.

He said timely payment of rates was essential to maintaining council services and ensuring the town's continued development.

The council relies on rates revenue to fund services including garbage collection, drainage maintenance, town beautification and clean-up programmes.

Mr Ligairi warned that enforcement action would continue against ratepayers who failed to respond to legal notices.

"We will be coming hard on these people who default on payments and disregard legal notices served," he said.

Despite outstanding arrears, he said the council had maintained a high standard of service delivery.

Mr Ligairi said improving the council's financial sustainability remained a priority, noting that unpaid rates continued to affect municipal councils across the country.

He said projects such as the installation of street benches, construction of public toilets and washrooms had been undertaken to improve services for residents and ratepayers.

Labasa Ratepayers Association president Paul Jaduram urged property owners to meet their obligations by paying rates on time.

He said some defaulters had moved overseas while retaining properties in Fiji.

Mr Jaduram said those who could afford luxury vehicles and expensive household items should also be able to meet their obligations to the council.