THE formalisation of nine settlements through the government’s budgetary allocation of $10million will provide healthy, hygienic residential spaces for families, says Tore settlement resident Ashish Prasad.
While delivering the 2026-2027 National Budget last week in Parliament, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel confirmed the nine settlements were Tore, Field 4, Valewaquyaya, Sakoca, Vuniika, Nabare, Delaisaweni, Lovu seaside and Caubati.
“Around $1.3million has also been allocated for the Relocation and Resettlement of Informal Settlements and $500,000 is allocated to Habitat for Humanity,” he said.
Mr Prasad said he had resided at Tore settlement with his family since 2000.
“At that time these roads were muddy, and people would complain that it stank but now it’s much better,” he said.
“So, it does take time, we must have that faith and believe in the Government because it’s not easy, people can say a lot of things, but it takes a lot of financial planning.”
Mr Prasad said many residents had been waiting for the infrastructure development to take place within the settlement.
“When we were school kids, we would only hear about these changes but now it’s really happening.”
Mr Prasad called for the development of other areas located along the Lautoka to Ba stretch.
“The areas going towards Nadi from Lautoka are already developed but this area going towards Ba in the Lovu area needs to be developed and now that’s happening finally.”
