PM Wants Answers on Pool Delay

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed his need for answers regarding the prolonged delay in completing Lautoka's Olympic-standard swimming pool, a project announced almost a decade ago.

Rabuka stated he has not received updates on why the construction stalled or when it might be finished. He is awaiting information from the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, and the Minister for Finance, Esrom Immanuel. The Prime Minister wants to know the total expenditure to date, the reasons behind the work stoppage, and the additional funding required to complete the facility.

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The answers to my questions have not come back, and the Minister responsible for urban and local government has not answered my question. So not answering your question is probably the same reason. He has not been able to find the answers to my questions and your questions

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel explained that the $4.5 million allocated in the 2023-2024 budget was not fully utilized. Funds were redirected to support the government's response during a recent fuel crisis. The swimming pool project was reportedly 70 percent complete when funding was allocated last year, but construction has remained at a standstill since then. Attempts to reach Minister Maciu Nalumisa for comment have been unsuccessful.

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A few things that we did. One is, as you are aware, there are two redeployments that we did because of this fuel crisis, and a few of those projects, because of the delays, we moved the funds from there to assist in the fuel crisis.