Vunisea market in Kadavu will undergo a $70,000 upgrade this financial year, says Local Government Minister Premila Kumar.
She said this in Parliament on Monday in response to questions from Opposition member Mitieli Bulanauca on the mandate of the Suva City Council (SCC) with respect to the rural-local activities in Kadavu.
Mrs Kumar said municipal councils had been providing services in the extended boundaries which were previously serviced by rural local authorities.
“Kadavu was assigned to Suva City Council to manage development permits and solid waste management, in demarcated planning scheme areas such as public facilities, business house, government stations and special used area,” Mrs Kumar said.
“With the inclusion of Kadavu, a budget of $50,000 is given to Suva City Council to collect solid waste in Vunisea. This includes providing public bins and collection of waste in public areas within the proximity of the Vunisea market.”
Mr Bulanauca also queried if the developments warranted Kadavu being declared a rural local authority or was more development needed for tourist purposes, industrial, manufacturing, et cetera.
Mrs Kumar said there was “no such thing” as a rural local authority, it was an extended boundary that came under SCC.
“I mean, if you want to turn that into a small municipality or small town, I do not think Kadavu is ready yet because with that will come the rates and I wonder whether the people of Kadavu is ready to pay rates. But along with the rate also means that we have to provide the basic services like the roads, the other infrastructure and other services — so at this stage I do not think so.”
