Western Homes Ltd owner Bobby Khan is facing significant financial losses amounting to $120,000 monthly from his newly constructed apartment block on Queen Elizabeth Drive. The crux of the issue lies in the Suva City Council’s withholding of a certificate of completion and occupancy permit, a situation Khan attributes to security concerns raised by the Chinese Embassy, located adjacent to his building.
The Grand, a six-storey development, comprises eight apartments valued at a potential rental income of $90,000, along with a penthouse that could yield an additional $30,000. Despite his investment, Khan claims these rental opportunities have remained untapped due to bureaucratic delays and embassy security demands.
Earlier this year, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Jian voiced these security concerns, prompting a response from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka who highlighted the obligations laid out in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This international treaty stipulates that embassies must be afforded certain protections and assurances, significantly influencing how neighboring developments are regulated.
Khan argues that the security issues linked to the embassy were not disclosed during the planning stages, which he undertook in good faith after receiving acquiescence from the Suva City Council and the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). He expressed frustration over the requirements imposed by the Chinese Embassy, which include monitoring the building through embassy-operated cameras and vetting prospective tenants based on their diplomatic affiliations—specifically excluding staff from Australian and American missions.
In his appeal to local government officials, Khan suggested that better clarity around such regulations from the outset could have averted this crisis. Highlighting the impact on both his financial situation and the broader implications for property investments near diplomatic missions, he urged that the sale of lands adjacent to embassies should be reconsidered to prevent similar disputes for future investors.
Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa acknowledged that there were deficiencies in the review processes that led to these complications and emphasized the importance of properly addressing potential security requirements for developments near embassies. He indicated that discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the Chinese Embassy, are ongoing, with hopes for a resolution that respects both diplomatic mandates and local business interests.
Khan remains resolute, contemplating legal action against the Suva City Council if his issues remain unresolved. The situation underscores a complex interplay between local development, international diplomacy, and the need for transparent communication among stakeholders, with the potential for regulatory improvements to support both investment and community safety.
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