Kumar Highlights Suva’s Achievement to International Forum

She said this pilot programme would lead towards developing the Suva Economic Recovery Plan.

At a global forum, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar highlighted Suva City’s recent achievement. in being selected as one of the four cities to pilot a major Urban Economic Recovery and Resilience Building programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Kumar was part of a global forum headed by the UN-Habitat and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Ms Kumar said this programme ranged from ‘No Poverty to Good Health and Wellbeing’ to ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’ and to ‘Build Sustainable Cities and Communities’. She said this pilot programme would lead to the development of the Suva Economic Recovery Plan.

She also spoke of plans of a digitilisation programme to design, develop and implement a ‘My Council App’, which would look after enhanced functionality and services of the Municipal Councils.

“The transformation will bring about reforms in the ICT structure at the ministry and the 13 municipal councils. This will also introduce the online submission/approval of Construction permits by the councils – further promoting a green economy,” she said. Ms Kumar said to improve solid waste management while enhancing livelihood opportunities, a pilot programme had started in

Nasinu.

“This facility will act as a drop off station for communities on selective waste that can easily be recycled – further strengthening our capacity to implement the 2030 Agenda through Sustainable Urban Resource Management,” she said.

She also highlighted plans for Levuka .

“This year, the Levuka Town Council has plans to beautify the heritage building (Governors House) to augment Levuka Town,” she said.