The Lautoka Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern over the growing number of street dwellers and robberies within the city.
Chamber president Semy Swamy called on the city administrators to address these concerns.
“The Lautoka Chamber of Commerce is extremely concerned and disappointed to see the affairs of Lautoka City,” Mr Swamy said.
“The municipal council’s poor administration system is affecting businesses and ratepayers, transport operators alike, and that it doesn’t serve its purpose.”
He said the chamber’s recent meeting with the council and stakeholders highlighted that the city was not in a good state.
“There is an alarming rate of daily robberies, shoplifting, public harassment, glue sniffing, homelessness, street dwellers, drug peddling in street corners outnumbering police patrols, and this has made Lautoka a criminal city.
“A total breakdown in law and order is forcing shops and businesses to pull down their shutters before sunset, and with poor street lights, this has increased the fear of robberies and customers being harassed on the streets.”
Mr Swamy said the city has been left in shambles by a poor municipal council administration and financial management, with reports highlighting abuse and mismanagement of millions of dollars.
In response, LCC special administrator chairperson Taitusi Rasoki said the council was committed to addressing these issues.
“Most of these issues raised by the chamber are not dealt with by the council alone,” he said.
“They are issues for other authorities like Social Welfare and the police while the council looks at the daily upkeep and developments within the city.
“We continue to work on the projects that we are looking after, and we invite the chamber to discuss these issues with us like we have been doing consistently.”
