The total rate arrears by all Municipal Councils is now $42.4m.
It has been revealed in parliament by the Minister for Local government Premila Kumar that if they include the uncollected rates for this year, then the total rates owed is $56m.
She says the collections from January to April 2020 has been a mammoth task.
Kumar says the Councils managed to collect a total of $21.2m from the total invoiced amount of $34.4m.
This is equivalent to a 61% collection rate.
She has revealed that the current rates for 2020 that is yet to be collected is $13.1m.
Kumar adds that the Suva City Council rate collection is the highest amongst 13 municipal councils.
She says the SCC collected $13.8m from a total invoiced sum of $15.7m.
The Sigatoka Town Council stands second in rate collection.
Kumar says 71% of the rate-payers have paid their rates in Sigatoka.
The Minister for Local government says the Tavua Town Council’s collection rate is 65% followed by Ba Town Council which is 64%.
She says the Labasa Town Council collection rate is the lowest as only 24% of the rate-payers have paid their rates for 2020.
Kumar adds that the Nasinu Town Council has collected 35% of the rates which is the $1.1m from expected $3.1m.
She says this is followed by the Lautoka City Council which stands at 36% of what they are supposed to collect.
The Lautoka City Council has collected $2.2m from $6.2m.
