We are collecting rates and market fees to pay our sanitary workers for upkeeping our town.
Sigatoka Town Council acting chief executive officer Anand Pillay said this when asked by Opposition MP Aseri Radrodro on how the council was paying for up keeping of roads and footpaths.
“Fiji Roads Authority is responsible for the upgrade and maintenance of roads and footpaths while the Ministry of Waterways is responsible for the upgrade of draining systems,” he said.
“The council is only responsible for the upkeeping and maintenance of footpaths and drainage systems in town.”
Mr Pillay said the total estimated cost for the upkeeping and maintenance of drainage and footpaths was $6618.40 (VIP) per month.
Ministry of Local Government manager finance Navin Chandra said a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2013 in terms of councils billing FRA for the costs being incurred by the council in terms of maintenance.
“The existing contract has actually lapsed,” he said.
“That was 2013. After that there was a review done by Ministry of Economy in terms of this.”
Mr Chandra said they could provide an update on this for all councils in terms of this arrangement.
