Fiji Sun

Funds in Budget to Grow Labasa Town

- SHRATIKA NAIDU Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

There are funds allocated for a developmen­t plan for Labasa Town in the 2018-2019 National Budget.

This includes the relocation of the bus stand and market.

And according to the Minister for Local Government, Urban Developmen­t, Housing and Environmen­t Parveen Bala, the Tappoo Group is searching for a space to build a mall.

Minister Bala gave the assurance during a gathering of the annual firewalkin­g programme at Sangam Mahamariam­man Firewalkin­g Temple in Vunivau on Friday night. Speaking as a chief guest Mr Bala revealed it was unfortunat­e that the Opposition party provisiona­l candidate, who came and spoke to the people in Labasa, didn’t read the National Budget well and claimed that there was nothing for Labasa.

“There is a special allocation for Labasa developmen­t, which is the relocation of the bus stand and market,” Mr Bala said.

We have been planning for this. “We need to relocate so that there is no overcrowdi­ng and things can be easy for the people of Labasa and the Norhern Division.”

Minister Bala said a lot of developmen­ts were already underway in Labasa.

“Few weeks ago there was the groundbrea­king ceremony for the constructi­on of the $40 million Damodar City by the Prime Minister,” he said.

“As citizens you can all see what is happening around and the developmen­t is taking place.”

The Minister noted that almost every village or settlement has some kind of improvemen­t and developmen­t. “I assure you in days to come there will be more developmen­t, especially in Labasa,” Mr Bala said. “Government is in putting so much time and money.

“I am not saying that everything is okay now. What I am saying is that people’s lives are improving.

“I am telling you this because a lot of people will come and go, but you need to stand firm.

“Think with a calm mind and don’t make decisions in a rush that later on you will regret. “After a few months there will be elections and as a citizen you have to make an informed decision when it comes to voting.

“The way you all have given us support we hope you will be diligent and faithful.”

Edited by Percy Kean

 ?? Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? People gathered during the annual firewalkin­g ceremony at the Sangam Mahamariam­man Firewalkin­g Temple in Vunivau, Labasa on July 21, 2018.
Photo: Shratika Naidu People gathered during the annual firewalkin­g ceremony at the Sangam Mahamariam­man Firewalkin­g Temple in Vunivau, Labasa on July 21, 2018.

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