Govt entering into 3-5 years tenancy agreements as buildings are substandard – AG

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Government has been entering into 3 or 5 years tenancy agreements with landlords as a lot of buildings that were leased out to the government for 15 to 20 years were substandard and not necessarily built to their requirements.

He highlighted this while responding to SODELPA MP Peceli Vosanibola who had asked what actions have been taken to regularise expired tenancy agreements on properties still occupied by government agencies.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the government allocates about $35 million a year for renting office spaces throughout Fiji but unfortunately, a number of tenancy agreements entered into by previous governments were very long and done without proper checks and balances.

He says the Suvavou House has lifts that do not work for months and there is absolutely nothing in the tenancy agreement that gives any relief to the tenants, which in this case is the government.

The Minister further says the government is calling for the private sector to construct buildings to meet their specifications. He says the private sector can put up the capital upfront and the government can then enter into long term agreements.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they will soon be announcing details about different companies that will be getting the right to build buildings for the Ministries.

SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka then stated that most buildings constructed by provincial companies are old and questioned whether the government will help upgrade these facilities to ensure they can retain the patronage of the government.

Sayed-Khaiyum says some of the buildings were made substandard and should not have been built.