11 town and city councils receive grants for drainage maintenance

Eleven town and city councils received grants from the Ministry of Waterways for drainage maintenance today.

$1.3 million has been allocated by the government for the maintenance of drainage for municipal councils.

Minister for Waterways Doctor Mahendra Reddy says no funds will be disbursed without submission of proper acquittals.

He says the grants termination date is 31st July this year.

Reddy adds the grants will be paid in quarterly installments.

The municipal council must declare that they are not receiving funds that duplicate the funding provided under the agreement.

Reddy also says the Ministry upon reasonable notice to the Municipal Council will conduct site visits to review the quality of works and utilization of grants.

The municipal councils that received grants today are Nasinu, Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Labasa, Savusavu and Levuka.

The Nasinu Town Council received the biggest grant allocation which is $476, 000.

Nasinu CEO Lute Berends says priority areas for this funding is Nadawa and Nadera and the drainage works for these areas will start next month.

The Nausori Town Council received $80,847, Sigatoka Town Council $32,201, Nadi Town Council $352,000, Lautoka City Council, $40,000, Ba Town Council $32,300, Tavua Town Council $12,290, Rakiraki Town Council $212,000, Labasa Town Council $48, 400, Savusavu Town Council $21,954 and Levuka Town Council $15,000.