Unpaid Rates Remain Major Debt For Council

Unpaid rates are a major debt that the Lautoka City Council (LCC) contin­ues to face, according to Mohammed Anees Khan, the council’s chief executive officer.

Mr Khan highlighted this yesterday after being questioned by Member of Parliament, Joseph Nand during the live submission to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on the 2018 to 2019 Audit Report on Munici­pal Councils from the LCC.

There are a total of 8164 ratepayers in Lau­toka.

Mr Khan said that because of the impact of COVID-19, the council offered multiple options to the ratepayers to assist them in paying their rates.

“Our major debt is still rates.

“The COVID-19 has not helped, but what we have started to offer is multiple modes of payment methods,” he said.

“This includes online payments.”

He said ratepayers who were on reduced hours and had lost their jobs had made ar­rangements for monthly payments.

Sports

Committee member, Aseri Radrodro, ques­tioned Mr Khan if there would be any future festivals, carnivals or sporting activities that would help the municipality generate revenue.

Mr Khan responded by saying the coun­cil was very proud of Lautoka’s Churchill Park, which featured a world-class turf that could accommodate a variety of local and international sports.

He said they had a list of bookings for lo­cal competitions, like soccer and rugby and international competition organisers have shown interest.

“We want to bring in at least one game for the Drua, for the Silktails. They are taking part in the Ron Massey Cup, Churchill Park is their home ground.

“We have received interest from FRU (Fiji Rugby Union) to host international test matches for the Flying Fijians and we are currently negotiating to get the Pacific Na­tions Cup tournament to Lautoka’s Church­ill Park.”

Mr Khan said Fiji Football also confirmed its interest in hosting the Oceania U16 quali­fiers.

For Festivals, he said once approvals were in place, Lautoka would be re-introducing festivals.

Mr Radrodro also enquired about the Lau­toka Swimming Pool’s status.

Mr Khan stated that there were concerns with the construction.