Tikoduadua values Fiji Sun awareness on people issues
sikeli Tikoduadua was at the helm of the biggest municipality in Fiji for two years as the special administrator chair for Suva and Lami.
He believes the special relationship with the Fiji Sun was a key factor in raising awareness and highlighting campaigns which helped the council and its ratepayers.
Under Mr Tikoduadua’s administration the number of ratepayers paying their rates in full increased from 79 per cent to 81 per cent.
“The council is for the people. The rates are paid for services and the council has to deliver. This has to be services rendered properly,” he said.
“And the council had to create awareness not only on the works they did but things like litter prevention, tree planting, the market services, health services, building and planning among other things.
“I think the informing role the media plays helped the Suva City Council and Lami Town Councils.”
Mr Tikoduadua said the duties of the councils were affected by COVID-19 and it was during these times that it became vital to have the information flow to the public.
He said even with COVID-19 essential services such as garbage collection had to continue.
Gabbage collection
In September 2020, the Suva City Council increased its garbage collection services to Nasinu.
This was after the Nasinu Town Council had difficulties in collecting garbage due to financial constraints.
A three party agreement involving the Ministry of the Local Government, the Suva City Council and the Nasinu Town Council
was signed.
This newspaper had been involved in constantly highlighting the garbage issue in Nasinu which if not dealt with would have caused a greater health hazard as COVID-19 had also set in.