Acquiring proper land leases is proving to be a significant hurdle that is delaying several key development projects for the Labasa Town Council. Paul Jaduram, the chair of the Labasa Special Administrator, confirmed this situation while discussing the setbacks in the construction of a multi-storey car park, one of the council’s flagship initiatives since the current board’s appointment.
Jaduram expressed the council’s eagerness to progress with the project, emphasizing that the delay in lease approvals is outside of their control. “We have not got any lease over this property. We have been waiting now two and a half years for the lease documents, and we have been told it’s been sent from Suva, but the local office says they have not received it. So that’s in the process. As soon as we get the lease documents, we’ll ask the engineers to look at it,” he stated.
While the plans for the multi-storey car park are intact, the council is waiting for approval from the iTaukei Land Trust Board to commence work. Jaduram also noted that similar lease issues have caused delays in renovating the Labasa Botanical Garden, where the council envisions transforming the space into a modern public area suitable for hosting major community events.
This situation mirrors broader infrastructure challenges faced by Labasa. Efforts to enhance local developments, including a long-discussed port project, remain unresolved, leaving residents feeling frustrated. Despite the stalled progress, both community leaders and government officials are showing cautious optimism. The government recognizes the critical need for enhanced infrastructure, which could pave the way for significant economic opportunities and improvements within Labasa.
The ongoing dialogues concerning various projects illustrate a shared commitment to advancing Labasa’s infrastructure. This positive engagement implies that, with the right focus and collaborative efforts, the town is poised for meaningful transformations in the near future, benefiting its residents and fostering a more vibrant local economy.