The Ministry of Local Government’s budgetary allocation has been reduced to $29.5 million from an initial $35 million provision in the 2025–2026 National Budget.
Despite the reduction, Rakiraki Town Council Special Administrator Peni Duaniwai confirmed the $29.5 million allocation would cover community and infrastructural support.
“We are very happy that the Rakiraki market upgrade has been included in this budget. So, it is a good budget, as far as I’m concerned, especially in terms of development,” he said.
“People just want to see the development, and we are looking forward to implementing it.”
Mr Duaniwai said the council had submitted its recommendations regarding the ministry’s upcoming review of local government and town planning laws.
“Now we’ve got our budget in regarding to the waste management, it’s good to see that this budget has allocated a good sum for this waste management.
“This is the people’s budget, especially the unfortunate ones.”
Meanwhile, Tavua Town Council Board of Special Administrators chairman Rajendra Raghlu urged equal consideration for smaller municipal jurisdictions.
“So I think we as administrators, but the small towns should be also looked into it, not only the larger cities,” he said.
“So our concern is the small towns because our revenue base is very small particularly Tavua Town since we don’t have the sewer system at all.
Efforts to obtain comments from Ba Town Council Special Administrator Moshim Khan yesterday were unsuccessful.
Questions sent to Ba Town Council chief executive officer Manula Devi also remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
