Mahendra Chaudhry
8 May, 2021, 3:08 pm
Customers line-up outside a supermarket in Valelevu, Nasinu to do their shopping. Picture: ATU RASEA/FT FILE
First, let’s bust the popular myth that the Prime Minister’s office block will cost $7m.
A more realistic assessment of the cost for this highly controversial, luxury set of suites will likely be $50 million.
This misleading perception was created, deliberately or otherwise, in budget 2020/21 by an initial $7m allocation for the complex.
However, the budget estimates do show a projected allocation of further $7m for each of the years 22/23 – making a total outlay of $21m.
This again is grossly under-quoting the cost. I am reliably informed by well-placed architects and civil engineers that, judging from the design concept for the building, it is more likely to cost about $50m, if not more, with a completion time in excess of three years under the current condition.
ANISH CHAND
The Fijian Government. Picture: FACEBOOK
Government is going ahead with the building of a new office complex for the prime minister in Selbourne St, Suva. Last week advertisements calling for tenders for the construction of the building were released.
An amount of $7 million was allocated in the 2020-2021 National Budget for the construction of the building.
A geotechnical engineering investigation report accompanying the advertisement on March 30 said the proposed building would be built on Lot 7 DP2303 at the corner of Tower and Selbourne streets.
“Based on the project brief and terms of reference provided it is understood the development will comprise construction of a four-storey modern office complex including staff facilities, cabinet chambers, meeting rooms, offices for supporting staff and car park,” engineering company ENTEC Ltd said.
Luxury Pools has completed the 3 pools as per contract for the Lautoka Swimming Pool Project
Luxury Pools has completed the 3 pools as per contract for the Lautoka Swimming Pool Project
[image: LAUTOKA INTERNATIONAL/Facebook]
The company that was awarded the contract by the Lautoka City Council to construct 3 pools as part of the Lautoka Swimming Pool Project, Luxury Pools has completed the pools as per contract while construction of the buildings to be done by another company as part of the aquatic centre project are yet to be completed.
Fijivillage has established after clarification that Luxury Pools completed the 25-metre pool in March 2019, they completed the children’s pool in May 2019 and the 50-metre main pool was completed in December 2019.
Luke Nacei
Attorney-Generakl Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at Muanidevo Sanatan Primary School in Labasa. Picture: SUPPLIED
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum accompanied by the Construction Implementation Unit team members conducted preliminary assessments to identify the need for rehabilitation of schools and public buildings damaged by super storm Yasa.
According to a Fijian Government Facebook post, the A-G visited Muanidevo Sanatan Primary School and saw the timber classroom block where two rooms had lost roofs and walls.
During the inspection, they also noted the roof of two rooms in a concrete block was damaged and the computer lab roof also sustained damages.
The team also noted the staff quarters timber and corrugated iron building roof had been partially damaged while one roof had structural damage.