Urban Development Minister Parveen Kumar last night hit out at Opposition members for misleading the parliament about issues that fall under his ministry.

He has confirmed work on the Wainiyabia jetty in Lakeba, Lau has begun following a successful land site investigation.

He says the Fiji Roads Authority has confirmed the tender will go out for the ocean and geotechnical studies as well as a structural design this month.

The Minister also clarified the land on Namoli village in Lautoka is occupied by the villagers themselves.

Opposition MP Villiame Gavoka claims municipalities are creating a lot of wealth from huge rural-urban drift adding that if the SODELPA were to form a government it would return Lautoka city to its rightful landowners.

This was protested by Kumar saying this is not true.

“The council is providing them free garbage collection, providing street lights and other services. So I don’t know which land he’s talking about. Even the town rates are not paid by the villagers as they have been exempted.”

The Minister also responded to Opposition MP Aseri Radrodro’s issue on the Water authority’s $33m saga that was revealed by an audit report by KPMG on a special review of plant hire conducted last year.

He confirms the audit report has been handed to FICAC for investigation.

Meanwhile, he says all taxi permit applicants who applied during the taxi permit issuance freeze have been issued permits by the Attorney General.