The Ministry of Works is now looking into an agreement made with the villagers of Tamavua a few years back that exempted the villagers from paying water and sewerage bills leading to a substantial loss in revenue over the years.
Works Ministry Spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said they are aware of the agreement, however they need to verify the details of the agreement to ascertain who are entitled to be exempted from paying water and sewerage bills and how the funds can be recovered.
Waqainabete reveals that there are other such agreements made with other landowning units which they are also looking into.
The latest Public Accounts Committee report on the 2006 Auditor General's report on Infrastructure Services has revealed the Tamavua villagers claim that the reservoirs are located on their land and that there had been an arrangement made with the Ministry to waive the charges entitling them to get free service.
However the committee said although the audit was informed that under an agreement, only five landowners were exempted from paying for their water bills, there was no documentary evidence to substantiate the claim.
Furthermore the Public Accounts Committee said one of the chiefs of Tamavua village, Ratu Meli Loki Tunisau was claiming the same arrangement should apply to his property at Ragg Avenue and he had disputed the charges, the arrears of which had reached $20,495.
The Committee reveals that there were others like Ratu Meli Loki who were claiming free water for their residence outside the village.
In addition, the committee said there were those in the village and nearby neighborhood who were not from Tamavua Village claiming for the same free water and sewerage service.
Ministry looks into exemption agreement
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when