HERITAGE BUILDINGS,
HOMES TO BE FIXED IN SEPTEMBER: PM
Heritage homes and buildings in Levuka, Ovalau, will be repaired in September. The confirmation came from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during a talanoa session on Monday. The Prime Minister heard a number of concerns raised by residents in Levuka who asked for an update on the construction, with some dating back to Severe Tropical Cyclone
Winston in February 2016. Mr Bainimarama said: “Everyone has been waiting for the Heritage Homes, which has not been repaired. Be informed that all scoping and necessary assessments have been carried out.
“We are expecting to call for projects on some of the listed heritage buildings in September. I have spoken with the Minister of Economy. He said they will come in September to have it done!”
He added the reason for delays is that the heritage department initially wrongly indicating the heritage buildings.
“The lead consultant, after thorough investigation, confirmed that the list provided was wrong and hence a revised list was done. Mas- sive time lost to get this organised, but nonetheless we are catching up now,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“I have also asked the CEO (for Levuka Town Council) that when the money comes around the priority will be your homes. Fix the homes first and if there is more money left then they should fix the building. Homes first for that obvious reason that you will live in it.” Mr Bainimarama also asked the residents to have patience because there would be another assessment in identifying which ones needed to be fixed first.
As of June 21, 2013, the naming port of Levuka was placed by UNESCO on the World Heritage site list as a cultural site.
This has placed Fiji on par with the Ayers Rock in Australia, the Pyra- mids in Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal of India to name a few.
The World Heritage listing has brought much-needed funding for the preservation and maintenance of the island including the Levuka Town Council for the development of the town.
The building of the market bridge, the strength and repairs of the walls of Totogo Creek, the upgrading and maintenance of seawalls, the footpaths, the drainage have all contributed to the improvements made in Levuka.
The PM’s last official engagement on Ovalau was on Tuesday night and he left for Suva yesterday.