Labasa businesses raise concerns over termite damage, high timber costs and vehicle import restrictions

As Labasa has been identified as a hot spot for termites, businesses have raised concerns of high cost of building material and people are opting for steel structures.

While speaking during public consultations with Labasa businesses, a businessman says timber costs five times more than what it used to cost 5 years ago.

He is urging the government to provide assistance.

The businessman further says the current age of vehicle they are allowed to import is 7 years and are urging the government to extend this to 10 years as newer cars cost three times more than what it used to cost before.

He says this would mean that cars would be cheaper and the old cars will be phased out.

While responding to these concerns, Deputy Prime Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says in the last three years, about 4,000 cars were added to the Nadi area.

He says this means on average more that 1,000 new cars a year so it does not seem like the cost of cars are very high because people are still buying those number of cars.