By ROSI DOVIVERATA
The Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has confirmed One Hundred Sands, the planned casino developers, have paid another US$100,000 in penalties for non-performance.
He further revealed that Government understands the company has not even purchased the land on which it says the casino is to be built a few minutes outside Denarau Island.
“Siwatibau/Sloan are their lawyers and they’ve sent us some correspondence just lately which we are studying,” he said.
“Once we’ve finalised a correspondence from them, then a decision will be made on how we take it forward.
“But I can tell you that US$400,000 has been paid so far which amounts to about FJ$800,000.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the money would be be used for various community projects through the PM’s office.
According to the casino licence agreement, One Hundred Sands would have to pay the Fijian Government US$100,000 fine every month from October 1, 2013 until the casino is opened.