Misunderstanding on new Rakiraki dumpsite

There was a misunderstanding in Parliament regarding the confirmation of the dumpsite location for the Rakiraki Town Council, where Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa called Opposition MP Parveen Bala a liar for saying that the dumpsite has been identified by the Council.

While contributing to the motion by the Assistant Minister for Education Iliesa Vanawalu that Parliament debates the ‘Review Report of Rakiraki Town Council Annual Report for the Year 2019, Bala said according to the Report, the identified dumpsite will be used by the Rakiraki Town Council and Tavua Town Council.

He says the Council is requesting funds from the government so they can carry out the Environment Impact Assessment of the new site.

Bala also called on the government to assist Municipal Councils with funding because the government’s non-funding for towns and cities is growing the challenges in our urban areas.

Bala says that while the people of Fiji tighten their belts and suffer, the coalition government is unable to focus on what truly matters, which is the delivery of results for the people.

He says smaller Town Councils are being crippled by the lack of funding, and he was surprised that the Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, had earlier said that he has provided funds to the respective departments or the Ministries.

Bala is asking what funds is the Finance Minister talking about as the funding has been stopped by the coalition government.

Bala also highlighted the need for the government to formalise the FSC grounds, which include the golf course and settlement areas.

Responding to the claims made by Bala, Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa says Bala is lying for saying that a new site has been identified for the dumpsite.

Nalumisa also assured Parliament that the Municipal elections would be held.

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Sachinda Nand urged Parliamentarians to stop the blame game and get the work done because they are in that seat because of the people.

The Motion was unanimously supported in Parliament.