Minister for Employment, Parveen Bala says he is saddened to hear about the passing of his long-time friend and former Lord Mayor of Suva, Chandu Umaria.
Bala says whatever people may think or feel, there can hardly be any doubt about Umaria’s importance in the history of Suva City as he was a man of action.
Bala says Umaria was instrumental in many initiatives during his long stint as Councillor with Suva City Council where he served as Lord Mayor and later as the Special Administrator.
He says Umaria had a leading role in the development of My Suva Picnic Park, which raised the profile of Suva City like no other recreational development.
Umaria served as the Suva City Councillor for 23 years since 1992.
According to City Council records, he was one of the most popular candidates during municipal elections and on average got 1,600 votes in his respective ward.
He served as the Deputy Mayor in 1995 and 1996.
Umaria was elected as the Lord Mayor of Suva City Council in 2000.
During his term, Suva City hosted the South Pacific Games.
In 2010, the Fijian Government appointed him as the Special Administrator for the Suva City Council and Umaria held the position until 2019.
