THE Lautoka City Council (LCC) is owed $10million in rates.
While debating the Consolidated Review Report of the Lautoka City Council 2015-2017 annual reports by the Committee on Social Affairs in Parliament on Tuesday, Deputy Opposition leader Parveen Kumar questioned why appointed special administrators were not being held responsible for the unpaid dues.
“The committee noted an increase in rate arrears which sits at around $10million,” said Mr Kumar.
“When special administrators were appointed, they were given certain responsibilities and one of that was to reduce the rate arrears.
“I would like to ask the minister responsible what action has been taken on the special administrator for failing in their duties?”
In response, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa said the LCC had noted an increase in rate collection in March this year compared with 2024 and there were active efforts being made to mitigate the rising rate arrears.
“In March 2025 collection compared to 2024 was $3.4million compared to $2.7million last year,” he said.
“That in itself is a testament of the good work by the municipal councils and its administrators.
“What we have done to at least mitigate the impact of this is by reducing the interest methodology. We have also stressed to the special administrators and CEOs to look after and manage their rates.”
Mr Kumar said most of the special administrators have conducted their interest rate profiling.
“When you do rates profiling, you can come up with strategies to improve the collection rate of your municipalities.”
He added that interest on arrears had also been reduced.
