Work on GCC complex to begin in June – Minister

Work  on the Great Council of Chiefs Vale ni Bose complex is scheduled to begin in June this year and should be completed towards the end of 2023, says iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu.

“The basic design and drawings are in the final stage,” he said while speaking in Parliament yesterday during debate on the Review Report of the iTaukei Trust Fund Board 2019 Annual Report.

“Once the full detailed drawings and cost have been finalised, they will be presented to the board for their approval.

“Once approved, the tender process will proceed for the appointment of the building contractors.

“The board will approve the award of the tender.”

Standing Committee on Social Affairs member and Opposition parliamentarian Viam Pillay said the $6.5 million insurance payout for the burnt Vale ni Bose complex was invested by the iTaukei Affairs Board.

He said the payout was made on November 11, 2020.

The complex was destroyed by fire caused by a lit mosquito coil on December 11, 2019, according to the National Fire Authority.

“The board informed us that based on the fire report of the NFA, police had closed its investigations and plans were underway to redevelop the Vale ni Bose,” Mr Pillay said.

“We were informed that the Vale ni Bose building complex was insured for $6.5 million.

“The insurance payout was received on November, 11, 2020 and this has been invested while the board was awaiting the commencement of the redevelopment of the project.”

Standing Committee on Social Affairs chair Alitia Bainivalu confirmed that the board had made significant inroads in both organisational direction and development.

“It achieved a gross revenue of $8.1 million and a net from operations of about $1.4m for 2019 , compared to $3.9m in 2018,” she said.

“The decrease in profit was attributed to the written down value of the burnt Vale ni Bose.”