The gates of Fiji Television Limited’s headquarters in Suva were locked by bailiffs for a few minutes earlier this afternoon. 

Fijivillage has received confirmation from the lawyers of the owner of the building, Fiji Public Service Credit Union that they had issued a Distress of Rent and they had gone to Fiji TV to enforce the order.

The lawyers say that had locked the gates and said that they want the rent arrears of about three months to be paid.

However they say that Fiji TV called the Police to come and open the gates.

FPSCU’s lawyers say they are concerned about this as the security officers for the owner of the building were also asked to leave the premises.

They are now in the process of filing the eviction proceedings in court.                            

Fiji TV had called Police who later removed the lock and chain by breaking the padlock with a hammer.

The television company’s lawyers have filed an official complaint with the Police as they claim that the owner of the building had no court order to lock up their gates.

Fiji Television Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Smith says he is sure that the parties can avoid all this unnecessary drama and let the courts decide.

Smith says they are happy to pay the current rates which is what they have been doing all this time through their lawyers until a decision is made.

In the meantime, Fiji TV’s search for a new home continues in earnest.

Smith says Fiji TV has been FPSCU’s tenants now for 22 years, so surely they have accumulated enough goodwill over that time for both sides to resolve this amicably.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says that they received a call earlier this afternoon that the bailiffs had locked the gates.

She says they had to prioritise the safety of those in the building.

Naisoro also says no documents were shown by the security officers.

CEO of Fijian Holdings Limited which is the majority shareholder of Fiji TV, Nouzab Fareed, says that Fiji TV has agreed to part nicely and they have proposed an amicable exit plan.

Fareed confirms that they have asked for another 6 months before they leave the building.

Fiji TV announced last week that it has begun the process of looking for a new headquarters as the owner of the building in Suva has given them until this Sunday to vacate the office space.

Based on an assessment, Fiji TV needs almost 6 months to move all its broadcasting and transmission gear to a new building.