Fiji’s Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, has called for urgent action to address the growing issue of unpaid rates, which has resulted in millions of dollars being owed to municipalities nationwide. This situation is severely affecting the financial well-being of local governments, subsequently hindering their ability to deliver crucial services to the community.
Nalumisa highlighted the need for strategic measures, advocating for councils to implement rate profiling. This strategy involves identifying ratepayers who are likely to settle their dues first, allowing councils to focus on smaller, more manageable debts before tackling larger amounts. He remarked, “I think it’s very important that they do an analysis, they profile all the ratepayers and look at the ones that they’ll have to target first.”
Concerns over defaults, especially in urban areas like Suva, have heightened, prompting a more proactive approach from local councils. For instance, the Nadi Town Council is currently facing a significant challenge with $3.4 million in unpaid rates, with only a fraction collected in the current financial year.
To mitigate the financial challenges, councils in places such as Rakiraki and Tavua are introducing measures such as offering discounts for timely payments and enhancing communication with ratepayers about the importance of settling their debts. Some local governments are also exploring legal options to recover outstanding payments.
The collaborative efforts among councils are essential as they strive to sustain community services. By fostering a sense of civic duty and engaging with residents, these initiatives can significantly improve local government funding. Essential services like sanitation, road maintenance, and beautification hinge on steady rate collection.
While the hurdles are daunting, the focus on strategic targeting and community involvement offers a hopeful pathway forward. Enhanced engagement may ultimately lead to improved rate collections, enabling councils to thrive and better serve their constituents.
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