$55.5M OWED TO 13 COUNCILS: MINISTER KUMAR

RATEPAYERS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES, HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING THEIR RATES ON TIME, SAYS THE MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING, PREMILA KUMAR.

As of 30 April, 2020, Ms Kumar said total rates owed to 13 municipal councils were around $55.5 million, however, she was sceptical about the data recorded at some councils.

“All town council started a rate profiling exercise to capture key information such as who the property owner is, address, phone contact, email, how many flats on the property, household number and so forth,” the minister said. Ms Kumar said this information could be checked at the titles’ office.

By having a rate profiling system, councils will be able to pick out houses that are illegally modified because their systems will all be linked to the municipal council’s planning and development section.

> Ilaijia Ravuwai