Councils left waiting for drainage budget return

Local councils in Fiji are facing persistent challenges in maintaining essential drainage infrastructure, as funding has not been reinstated since a one-off allocation in 2018. Rakiraki Town Council informed Parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that it continues to depend on recurrent budget submissions to address ongoing drainage needs.

According to Rakiraki Town Council CEO Sailosi Sawana, the 2018 funding facilitated the upgrade of earth drains to concrete structures. However, there is still no dedicated annual budget for continuous maintenance. The council now relies on annual budget bids and disaster rehabilitation funding requests, with approvals contingent upon government procedures.

Local government officials explained that drainage funding management shifted after government restructuring, moving from the Ministry of Waterways. Since the 2018-2019 financial year, no specific allocation for drainage has been made under the Ministry of Local Government. Instead, councils have depended on project funding and limited subsidies.

“

The 2018 funding helped upgrade earth drains into concrete drains.

Opposition MP Virendra Lal questioned the non-implementation of a parliamentary recommendation to reinstate drainage funding, highlighting the pressure on smaller councils lacking stable financial sources. He noted that the inconsistent funding directly impacts basic infrastructure maintenance within towns, making drainage issues a regular concern.

The committee also heard about delays in waste management projects, including the relocation of the Naria dump site and the identification of a suitable landfill for the western division. While Cabinet endorsed the western landfill project in 2024, land clearance and final approvals are still pending. Concerns were also raised regarding coordination between agencies responsible for local infrastructure, such as drainage, streetlights, and footpaths, with a pending Memorandum of Understanding between the FRA and councils for maintenance responsibilities.

“

The smaller councils are under pressure without a stable funding source.