Kumar: Council Has Backing of Government
Apart from working with the development partners and the private sector, the Savusavu Town Council continues to receive Government grants to operate and build infrastructure.
Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar, during her visit to Savusavu on Tuesday, said that for this financial year (2022-2023) the council had been allocated funding to support key deliverables.
“Such as $50,000 to the rural local authority to service the satellite towns which are Nabouwalu and Taveuni; $50,000 towards the waste collection subsidy to service two areas of roadside picking from town to Montfort Technical Institute and from the airport area to town; reimbursement of market vendor’s fee ($166,765) and public service vehicle fees ($38,949),” Ms Kumar said.
She said the vision of Savusavu
Town Council was for Savusavu to be a model tourist town that promoted civic pride through community participation to preserve eco-tourism, nature, wildlife and maritime resources.
Waiting shed area
She said the council would venture out to upgrade and maintain the waiting sheds in Savusavu, Nabouwalu and Taveuni.
“It is our commitment to providing Fijians with proper facilities wherever they are,” she said.
“The shed will allow more vendors to sell from the waiting shed which will ensure economic development.”
Moreover, she said funds had been allocated to start preliminary work for the development of the Taveuni Market, to the tune of $75,000.
Update on Savusavu Market
Apart from the funds for the special projects, Ms Kumar said the council was allocated $1million to continue with the design and construction of the new Savusavu Market.
“The project aims to upgrade the Savusavu market to a modern design with the Blue Town concept,” the minister said.
“The new market will be inclusive of not only usual market vendors who sell vegetables, root crops and dry goods but will have food outlets that will operate outside the market operating hours.”
The market will also have a provision for a coffee centre, information booth, antique boutique and a conference room with a capacity of 150 people.
Update on project completion in Savusavu
Ms Kumar said that the Ministry of Local Government valued partnership as one of the founding principles of its service.
They will continue to actively forge such collaborations that are sustainable, whether with their development partners or the local community.
“The council has completed a number of other projects through partnership,” she said.
“These projects include the Silversun Children’s Park, the installation and maintenance of benches at the foreshore area, the installation of rubbish bins along the foreshore and Main Street in Savusavu and the newly constructed gardens at Maxvalue Supermarket with benches.”
Ms Kumar is urging everyone in Savusavu to take care of the assets that have been built for their benefit.
“You can assist the council by keeping our streets clean and our civic spaces vibrant and renewed,” she said.
“We need your co-operation to maintain our infrastructure.”