THE government is moving to formally integrate villages located near municipal boundaries into town and city council governance structures to give residents a voice in local administration, says Housing and Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa.
While most of these communities already receive municipal services, Mr Nalumisa said they had historically been excluded from council decision-making.
Mr Nalumisa did not confirm whether these communities would be paying town or city rates but Lautoka Board of Special Administrators chairman Taitusi Rasoki did say that discussions were still in the proposal stage as far as Lautoka City was concerned.
“They don’t know what’s happening, they don’t have a say in the administration, the governance of the council,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“So that’s the basic reason why we are involving all these villages that are closer to the municipal boundaries.”
To address the financial impact of town rate assessments on these communities, the government is currently providing waste collection subsidies.
“The ministry is also collaborating with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for them to assess the payment of rates for all these villages.”
Nawaka district representative Panapasa Driu Qoro said basic services such as rubbish collection had been implemented by the Nadi Town Council.
“I think we will be included in this local government elections, even the settlements and surrounding areas,” he said.
Mr Driu said developments within Nadi Town had expanded to include nearby villages since 2020, therefore it was only right that these communities be allowed to vote in the local government elections.
