Concerns raised of tendency conditions for Lami Medical Centre

Concerns have been raised on why the Lami Town Council is making unilateral decisions in increasing the rent and changing the tenancy conditions for Lami Medical Centre which provides specialist medical services to many residents including many diabetics and amputees.

Hundreds of ratepayers in Lami are signing a petition to be taken up to the Lami Town Council and the Ministry of Local Government.

They say it seems the town council is trying to get rid of the doctor and the medical centre although people know the value of having the Lami Medical Centre and Doctor Husnoor Ali in Lami.

Lami businessman, Robert McLachlan is calling on good sense to prevail and for the council to listen to the concerns of the residents and business houses of Lami. 

McLachlan also hopes the Ministry of Local Government will listen to their concerns and ensure that the council’s threats to evict Doctor Ali are not entertained.

Fijivillage has spoken to Lami Town Council Special Administrator, Jasper Singh.

Singh has now made it clear that the council has agreed to the offer made by the Lami Medical Centre regarding the medical centre tenancy agreement.

Singh said he is now waiting to have a discussion with Doctor Ali as the council has agreed to the offer made by the doctor.

The Lami Special Administrator said the council is doing what is required by the ministry which was to call an expression of interest for tenancy for the area.

Singh said the medical centre agreement expired in June.

He said the centre failed to renew the agreement but he confirms that it was still paying the rent to the council.

He said the council wrote to Doctor Ali a few months ago saying that a market appraisal was done by Harcourts and the rent needs to be increased.

Jasper Singh now confirms that although Harcourts market appraisal is higher, the Lami Town Council has accepted Doctor Ali’s offer due to the services provided by him to the people in Lami and surrounding areas.