4 May 2006

Local council in Kiribati angry at Chinese businessmen

11:19 am on 4 May 2006

The Tarawa Urban Council in Kiribati has filed applications with the Office of the Attorney General seeking legal advice over what it says are illegal constructions by two Chinese businessmen.

A council representative, Tiimau Tiira, says it had told the businessmen to stop work at the sites because they didn't have building permits but the warnings were all ignored.

He says the two buildings are in Bikenibeu and in Teaoraereke, near Bairiki.

Mr Tiira says foreigners must understand that there is a law in Kiribati governing construction and failure to comply with such law may lead to criminal prosecution.