Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association president Narayan Reddy is disappointed at the failure of the 2025-2026 National Budget to make an allocation for municipal elections.
He said if there was nothing for the municipal elections, “it basically means that there will be no municipal elections this year again”.
“If the Government promises, I don’t know why they’re not keeping to their promise.”
Mr Reddy also raised concerns about the lack of funding for key local priorities, including the long-delayed Lautoka swimming pool project and the housing needs of street dwellers.
He noted ongoing issues with the Government’s online business portal, describing it as unreliable.
“This is something that both the Finance Minister and the minister for SMEs should look at.”
Mr Reddy said delays in processing fire insurance policies is concerning, with inspections to buildings made after two weeks.
Mr Reddy commended a number of provisions in the budget which would provide significant relief to grassroots level communities.
“We really appreciate what the Government has done with lowering VAT and food prices, and helping school kids with the bus fare subsidiary and helping the elderly and the poor.”
Calls made to the Housing and Local Government Minister, Maciu Nalumisa, remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
During a national budget forum early this month, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad said the Government’s priority is to first rebuild the legislative framework, with reforms already underway to review the Local Government Act.
