One of the bus companies in the 1970s was under the Rewa Provincial Development Council (RPDC) and the council was expecting to have three of its five buses running again.
The story was published in The Fiji Times on March 8, 1976. The chairman of the Rewa Provincial Council, Uraia Koroi, refused to disclose the company’s plans but sources associated with the company said the buses were expected back in operation since the buses were under repairs in Lami.
According to sources, Mr Koroi had named new directions and management executives and was preparing a submission to the Registrar of Companies.
A spokesperson from the company registration office in Suva confirmed that the office was awaiting an application for the handover to new management.
Sources said those Mr Koroi had named were members of the council and shareholders.
Those appointed were members of the provincial council’s finance committee as well.
TRIAL BASIS
The sources said the company would try to revive the bus operation on a trial basis.
If executives found it was still not profitable, then the company would have to be wound up.
Mr Koroi said, “We are thinking along the same lines, but nothing concrete had shot the debts up to more than $25,000.”
A meeting of shareholders at Lomanikoro, Rewa last December revealed the RPDC owed different business firms about $15,000 and had insufficient money to pay up.
Mr Koroi said executives were thinking of winding up the company if debts reached $30,000.
A fleet of five buses owned by the company which ran from Lokia to Nausori and Suva ceased operation in November because the RPDC could not maintain them.
HANDED OVER
During the shareholders’ meeting, the independent board of directors, including management, were sacked.
Shareholders agreed the administration should be handed over to the provincial council. Mr Koroi said after the meeting the buses would be back on the road in three months.
In another new development, sources said the council was trying to arrange the Ro Burebasaga Festival money, involving more than $60,000 be transferred to the company’s account. Sources said the festival committee objected to the move.
The Ro Burebasaga Festival was held in Suva last year.
