THE monitoring of municipal council projects has been strengthened, says Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa.
He told a public consultation in Lautoka that past projects had been mismanaged.
“When we came into power, one of the main things we wanted to make sure was that the people’s voice would be heard,” said Mr Nalumisa. “That is why we are here.
“And the next thing was to always encourage transparency in all of the services and projects that we undertake. That is something that I always encourage our municipal councils for any big project.”
With regards to the Lautoka City Council-led project, he said the proposed initiative is an avenue to generate income for the council.
“What the council has done is they have followed the due process. And this was to assist the council in making use of those two lots and, secondly, to assist the council in generating income so that 35 years down the line that particular development will be later owned by the municipal council.
“Most of the councils around Fiji have land but they are not utilising those assets.”
Mr Nalumisa said a monitoring unit of council projects has been established for the sole reason of keeping the Government up to date with each project.
“When I was given this portfolio, one thing I noted was there was no proper coordination done by the ministry in terms of managing the projects by all of the municipalities. So, what we are doing now is we have created a unit that monitors all the projects happening around the country. If you ask me today what is happening, I can tell you the percentages of how far the project has gone, what contracts have been secured and if the expression of interest has been done.”
LCC: No approval yet for $5m project
LAUTOKA City Council special administrator chairperson Taitusi Rasoki has reassured residents of the Sugar City that due process will be followed for the proposed $5million development near Coronation Park.
Speaking at the city’s second public consultation on Thursday evening, Mr Rasoki said no approval had been given for the development to go ahead.
“I am standing in front of the citizens of Lautoka as I am one of them and I want to assure you all and tell all of those who are not here, that Lautoka City Council will follow due process, transparency and accountability,” he said.
“As of now, there is no approval as some of you might be thinking that the approval has been given. This is the initial stage of going through this development proposal.”
LCC building and planning services acting director Daniel Chand said the proposed development is an income generating opportunity for the council.
“At the moment we have financial constraints especially with our rate arrears,” Mr Chand said.
He said when the expressions of interest for the proposed project were advertised in 2023, the council was owed $8.6m rate arrears.
“Our rate arrears stood (at the time) at $8.6m which currently stands at $2.3m.
“We wanted to develop but we had financial issues.
“The way forward was to advertise an EOI inviting investors in a public-private partnership so funding would be done by the private entity.
“Through that advertisement we only received one application — Challenge Engineering. Then we went through the due process and Challenge Engineering was probationally awarded the proposed project.”
He said the council is encouraging residents to submit their written submissions to the council office until the closing date on November 6.
Projects operated under different laws
THE laws under which the Lautoka City Council operated for the Shirley Park and Tappoo City projects were different compared with now.
Speaking at the public consultation for a $5million development organised by LCC on Thursday, Lautoka lawyer Shalend Krishna said the proposed project near Coronation Park would go through a different process.
“On the legal components in regard to Tappoo City building and Shirley Park, the laws were different then,” said Mr Krishna.
“Shirley Park was a Cabinet decision at that material time.
“So, that decision was put upon the council, and it was mandatory for them to follow what the government of the day said.
“Shirley Park was in fact a sub lease given to the group. Now there are certain requirements that need to be met, and the parties are addressing that.”
He said with the $5million project, the council has followed a consultative approach.
“This is different because they have called for an expression of interest and they have called for consultations.
“They have advertised twice and there was only one bidder.”
Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa reassured residents the Challenge Engineering Pte Ltd project would follow due process.
“This is about helping the community of Lautoka,” said Mr Nalumisa.
“We are taking the request and suggestions from the residents on board and we are doing this in a more transparent manner.”
