[Source: Luxury Pools Fiji Limited]

The cost of the yet-to-be-finished Lautoka Swimming Pool has escalated from the initial budgeted amount of $2 million to $12.6 million.

This has been confirmed by Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa after questions were raised on the current legal status of the publicly funded Lautoka swimming pool.

The initial project was for two swimming pools which included a competition pool with international compliance and a community pool with associated facilities, at an estimated cost of $2 million.

However, this has increased by almost ten million dollars following changes in the scope of work.

The changes by the local government ministry increased the project cost estimates from $2 million to $7.8 million, and when the tender for the construction was called and quotations were received, the actual project cost reached $12.6 million.

The concept of the Lautoka Swimming Pool was approved in January 2017.

Furthermore, the contract was executed in December 2017, with construction of the swimming pool starting in 2018.

In 2020, Lautoka City Council terminated the contract with the project consultant and contractors due to the delay in work and failure to meet project timelines for completion.

Nalumisa says since 2020, there has been no construction undertaken at the site, as all the parties involved agreed to have a peer review exercise undertaken.

In 2022, the peer review was done, and the report is currently with the government and being discussed with Lautoka City Council to formulate a feasible way forward for the completion of the project.

Nalumisa says the review was carried out to assess and ensure that the work was carried out in accordance with the scope of works in the contract between the Lautoka City Council and the Lead Consultant and other related contractors.

He says the peer review report is currently being considered by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government to determine a feasible way forward.

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