The Acting CEO of Nausori Town Council says he is not in a position to release any information in relation to a major delay concerning a multi-million dollar project in Nausori.

Aerial view of Nausori Town

This is in relation to the construction work of the $40 million complex at the old Nausori Market site by Shop and Save Limited.

Shop and Save was awarded the tender in May 2015 and the deal was that they will also be subleasing the site for the next 50 years.

To date, no physical work has been seen on the site as we approach the four-year mark since the tender was awarded.

We sent a number of questions to Deo Narayan and his only response was that the subject matter is still in the process.

Fijivillage had asked Narayan on when the construction will start, what is delaying this project and whether Shop and Save Limited has made necessary payments as they were awarded this tender in 2015.

We also questioned Shop and Save Limited’s Managing Director Babu Ratan Deo who says money is not an issue and they are sorting out lease matters.

Part of the deal was that Shop and Save Limited will be required to pay a premium of $2 million to the Nausori Town Council and an annual rental of $100,000 per year which shall be reassessed and increased by 10 percent at the interval of every five years.

The then Minister for Local Government, Praveen Bala who had made the announcement in 2015 had said that the rental for the first ten years shall be paid in advance.

It was said in 2015 that the complex will have hotel apartments, a cinema, conference rooms, supermarkets and 350 parking spaces.

We have also sent questions to the Nausori Town Council and are awaiting a response.