Councils feel pinch as revenue drops due to COVID-19

The waiver of stall fees for Suva and Nausori markets are having an impact on revenue for the respective councils.

In an attempt to lessen the economic impact of COVID-19 on market vendors and their families, the Ministry of Local Government waived stall fee for vendors who sell from less than two stalls at the council-run markets.

For the Nausori Town Council, this has reduced revenue by 53 per cent.

Acting chief executive officer Lydia Lazel-Racule said the council knows that people have been impacted by COVID-19.

She said the council was getting innovative

in trying to get its revenue.

“The focus is on rate collection now. We are trying to get our ratepayers to pay something. This is for commercial and residential ratepayers,” she said.

“The council is an essential service and these operations require funds.” The Nausori Town Council has not sent any workers home yet or reduced hours for its staff. Similarly, the Suva City Council is also feeling the pinch in its revenue collection.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua said the Suva market was one of the biggest revenue streams for the council apart from rates.

He said they were fortunate to have collected 80 per cent rates before the impact of COVID-19 was felt.

“In terms of providing essential services such as rubbish collection, cleaning, market services and other things we have not stepped back,” he said. “But revenue has been impacted and we hope that the global situation improves so the trickledown effect can be felt here as well.”

The Suva City Council has also maintained all its staffing numbers.