Renting of rooms and business activities at the Town Grown Grand Plaza has raised questions into its legality as reports claim it is currently illegal at this stage.
The plaza early last month has been granted its occupancy permit from the town and country planning board and new tenants have already been moving in to set up their business.
But the granting of occupancy permit has raised concerns amongst certain individuals whether the process of granting the permit and rooms being rented out is legal.
It was reported that no occupancy license was granted to the plaza thus raise concerns amongst certain public figures who seek clarification.
Honiara city council Clerk Charles Kelly when asked said issuing of the occupancy permit does not guarantee the operator of the Plaza the right for any tenant to operate its business in the building.
Mr Kelly said operating any business activity in the complex will require a business license from council which comes with certain requirements that needs to be met.
He said until today council did not issue any business licence to any tenant therefore no business activity should be taking place within the Plaza.
But a senior citizen is concerned why tenants have already occupied the building.
“I believe the China United is already renting out rooms at the building to tenants and that does not look right,” the citizen who wishes to remain anonymous said.
China United when asked if they have already renting out rooms said they have already collected deposits from interested tenants who wish to rent the rooms at the Plaza but there is still no business operations.
“But we question why we meet all requirements and yet council do not want to give out business license. What more did council want before they issue business licences to tenants. Although it is the tenants’ responsibility to attain their licences it seems these things become personalised,” China United Boss Shiyao Guo said.
But the clerk said according the Attorney General’s advice unless full council go back to amend the building ordinance for stage development, the ordinance which requires completion to be done still stand.
He added that occupancy permit and business licence are two different ordinances which have their own requirements.
Adding no business activities are supposed to be operated within the building at this stage.
Previously the minister of lands approve the appeal of China United for stage development which town and country planning board has approved on certain conditions including SIWA, SIEA and an engineering report to be completed.
“That must have been done and as a result stage development has been given approval and that occupancy has been given by the environmental health division upon approval from the TCPB.”
Meanwhile the city Clerk said council is planning on reviewing the Honiara city Act and its ordinances since they have long been overdue which needs amendment to cater for current developments.
By Daniel Namosuaia