There does not seem to be any idea as to when Shop and Save Limited will commence construction work on the $40 million complex at the old Nausori Market site.
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.
When questioned, Shop and Save Limited’s Managing Director Babu Ratan Deo 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.
