LOCAL Government Ministry permanent secretary Seema Sharma has reassured Lautoka ratepayers that strict measures will be followed in screening all potential development projects, including those involving public parks.
Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association president Narayan Reddy had raised concerns about a proposed Lautoka City development project at Coronation Park during a press event in Ba on Thursday.
“That issue that Mr Narayan Reddy has raised, it actually hasn’t come to the Department of Town and Country Planning for any approval,” Ms Sharma said, adding the area was a civic zone.
“We will make sure that any such application that comes here goes through proper scrutiny before any approval or any application is processed.
“So, be assured, Mr Reddy, we will make sure if there’s any such application coming our way, we will also talk to the Lautoka City Council, sir, to make sure they’re taking all these things into consideration and not making any rushed decision into selling that.”
Transport and Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said policies were in place to protect forestry and mangroves.
“So, it’s something we will definitely be looking into, especially through the city council and the special administrator, through our Minister of Local Government,” he said.
