A member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence has demanded an investigation into the controversial sale of 52 acres of land owned by the Savusavu Town Council, which was allegedly sold at a significantly lower price to families of former council executives. The issue arose during discussions of the council’s annual reports for 2014 and 2015, leading to concerns about transparency and accountability in local governance.
Chairperson Shiu Shankar Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the sale, indicating that the current valuation of the land stands at around $7 million, though he did not disclose the sale price or the year of the transaction. He noted that ratepayers of Savusavu were unhappy with the sale, which was believed to have happened under questionable circumstances.
It has been reported that some staff members of the municipality and their relatives benefitted from the land sale at concessionary rates. Another council representative, Shiu Dayal Sharma, emphasized the potential loss to the municipality, reiterating the need for better internal controls to avoid similar occurrences in the future. As a response to the allegations, internal measures have been introduced, such as separating accounts for land sales.
MP Rinesh Sharma has suggested that it might be prudent to identify the former executives involved and hold them accountable for the decision to sell the land at a reduced price. He has also advocated for the involvement of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to thoroughly investigate the matter.
This situation reflects broader challenges within local councils in Fiji as they grapple with issues of financial management and accountability, echoing similar concerns raised in other councils. The proactive measures being taken by the Savusavu Town Council present an opportunity to restore public trust and ensure better governance practices in the future. Adopting stricter controls and engaging with the public can enhance transparency, ultimately benefiting the community and its governance structure.
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