The Government has enough State land available to relocate 18 families living in the flood-prone Bouma settlement in Labasa, says Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo.
“In places like Labasa and Bulileka, we have acres of State land that can be used to relocate these families to safer, more permanent locations,” he said.
Mr Vosarogo said Bouma sits on tiri land, swampy and highly vulnerable to flooding, making it unsuitable for residential living.
“The Bouma settlement is not an ideal place for people to live. It is flood-prone and unsuitable. If the budget is approved for the 2025 to 2026 financial year, it could become part of the ministry’s official relocation program.”
He said the move would improve safety and infrastructure for residents.
“We want to move them to higher ground, where they can live with dignity and security,” he said.
Vosarogo said the Ministry was working with the Housing Ministry to identify suitable land.
