WHOPPING $15M OWED TO NASINU, NAUSORI COUNCILS
THERE ARE 11,377 RATEPAYERS IN NASINU OF WHICH 299 ARE COMMERCIAL AND 11078 ARE RESIDENTIAL In Nausori, there are 4564 ratepayers in Nausori of which 359 are commercial, 3922 are residential and 283 are civic.
The Nasinu and Nausori Town Councils are owed a combined $15million in rates. This was revealed by the council’s chief executive officer, Anurashika Bari.
A total of $11million is owed by Nasinu ratepayers while about $4million is owed by Nausori ratepayers.
Ms Bari said they were working with ratepayers to clear the arrears.
There are 11,377 ratepayers in Nasinu of which 299 are commercial and 11078 are residential.
In Nausori, there are 4564 ratepayers in Nausori of which 359 are commercial, 3922 are residential and 283 are civic.
“Both the councils have taken vigorous actions to recover these arrears,” she said.
“For Nasinu, we have taken action right now at almost 96 per cent of it which means that the majority of these ratepayers are on a payment plan or there is a court order and based on their financial assessment then these payment plans are done,” Ms Bari said.
“It is a matter for us to follow and ensure that they adhere and commit to the payment plan. We had taken them through the small claims tribunal or magistrate court.
“For Nausori, as we speak we have taken 70 per cent to action. They are either on payment plan or some sort of arrangement already. We are currently working on the 30 per cent to move them to the arrangement plan.
“The collection of rates have actually improved. The good news is that people are aware of their rates and they are now coming forward to take advantage of the payment plan that we are working with them to do.”
Challenges
Ms Bari highlighted that one of the challenges they faced is that some of the land is in dispute, and no one is taking ownership to come forward to pay the rates.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Municipal Council CEO Forum was opened yesterday by Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Katamotu, who reminded the CEOs to inform the Ministry about their future plans for their towns and cities. Mr Katamotu emphasised that the Ministry will set the policy framework and expectations for the development plans, and that the plans must align with the National Vision.
“We will not discuss the past as done previously. We want to develop plans. The Ministry of Local Government as the policy arm will set the policy framework and expectations. And how the towns and cities plans must be aligned to the National Vision,” Mr Katamotu said.
“Therefore, this Forum is perfectly timed to allow the Ministry and Municipal Councils to effectively contribute to the National Economic Summit that will be held next week.”
Mr Katamotu highlighted that the Coalition Government is committed to the return of elected local government Councillors.
He praised the work done by Special Administrators in the past 14 years, but noted that it was now time for ratepayers to have the opportunity to elect their representatives for driving development in their cities and towns.
The Minister further urged Municipal Councils to focus on improving service delivery, and to be people-centered.
Mr Katamotu reminded the CEOs that the Ministry’s expectations were very high, and that governance, accountability, and transparency should be at the core of all their work.
“As the monitoring arm, the Ministry is taking its role very seriously. Last week we began the first round of audits. This was focused on rates and capital projects. Well, it came as no surprise that there are discrepancies in systems and processes. But we will not allow this to continue,” he said.
“It is your job to ensure that Council resources are used ethically, efficiently, economically, and effectively, and in accordance with the strategic plans, programmes and policies of the Council.”
The Municipal Council CEO Forum ends today.