IN a bid to curb the drainage issues faced by various municipalities around the country, the Ministry of Waterways signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 11 municipal councils in Suva on Wednesday.
Minister for Waterways Dr Mahendra Reddy said under the 2017-2018 National Budget, Government allocated $1,323,798 for maintenance of drainage.
“These grant funds are shared among the 11 town and city councils for maintenance of drainage activities as per submission from municipal councils and clearance by Local Government,” Dr Reddy said.
“The grant will be paid quarterly subject to timely submission of quarterly acquittal reports from respective municipal councils.”
The Nasinu Town Council received the largest share of the grant amounting to $476,000 with Nadi Town Council receiving $352,000.
Dr Reddy emphasised the municipal councils must declare that they were not receiving funds that duplicated the funding provided under the agreement.
He said the respective councils must utilise the grant as efficiently and effectively as possible and must take action to improve their delivery services as required by the Government.
Meanwhile, Nasinu Town Council chief executive officer Lute Berends said the project would serve all residents living in the area.
“This is a very good start in addressing the drainage problem. We will manage the water in a way that nobody will be affected by flooding,” Mr Berends said.
The grants termination date is July 31 this year.
