Rural Local Authorities in the Maritime Islands started losing their roles to Municipal Councils last year and this will continue in the years to come.

This policy is to ensure that better Infrastructure development and operations in Maritime Islands and also the overall health of the people are made priorities.

Local Government Minister Premila Kumar confirmed that the two Islands which have been handed over to Municipal Authorities for Infrastructure development are Kadavu and Taveuni.

Kumar says that Suva City Council will manage the Infrastructure development in Kadavu while Taveuni will be managed by Savusavu Town Council.

“Each and every Local Authority that existed in the past, their functions were given away to Ministry of Local Government that is where the Municipalities comes in and Ministry of Health and that led to dissolving or removal of rural local authorities, so under this arrangements Kadavu comes under Suva City Council.”

The Ministry of Health will look into the Health side of things.

The change is expected to roll onto other Islands around the country.