HOUSING projects across the country are being slowed by land disputes, overcrowding and unresolved family issues, according to its minister Maciu Nalumisa.
He said many delays occur in areas where people already live close together, creating tension over land boundaries, access roads and shrinking lot sizes.
“When people live so close to each other, disputes are bound to happen,” Mr Nalumisa said, adding many projects had been on hold for about 10 years as a result.
“Some come back to the ministry complaining that their land size has been reduced or that they are now being forced to share common driveways.”
He said the ministry’s priority was to resolve issues through consultation, rather than push projects through and leave residents unhappy.
“We do not want to complete a project only for people to later complain that it was not done properly or that they were not consulted,” the minister said.
However, he added some disputes take time to resolve, especially when they surface late in the development process.
Mr Nalumisa urged residents living on proposed development sites to raise their concerns early and work closely with the ministry.
“If issues are raised after roads and other infrastructure are completed, it only causes further delays.”
He said the ministry was dealing with a range of complex situations, including family disputes in which siblings live in the same house or where some landowners are overseas.
“These are sensitive matters that must be addressed as part of the development process.”
He said developments on already occupied land posed major challenges for contractors and planners.
“In these cases, people are already living on the land, so drafting teams and contractors have a difficult task designing scheme plans that accommodate everyone.”
Mr Nalumisa said these were some of the big challenges the ministry faces in the development of land for housing purposes.
44 land sites developed for proper housing
FORTY-FOUR iTaukei land sites nationwide are being developed to provide proper housing for families living in informal settlements.
Housing Minister Maciu Nalumisa said a total of 48 informal settlement development sites have been identified across the country.
“Of these, 14 are in the North, 21 in the West, and 13 in the Central Division,” Mr Nalumisa said.
In the North, Vunika has been identified as the priority site to undergo major upgrades.
Housing Minister Maciu Nalumisa meets with residents of Vunika, Labasa.
“The informal settlement upgrade project is located about nine kilometres from Labasa Town and covers an area of 16.97 hectares,”
Mr Nalumisa said, adding the project would benefit 110 households.
“The development will eventually provide 141 planned residential lots.”
He said the project was not just about building houses, but about creating safer and more organised communities.
“This development will create space not only for homes, but for safer living, better access and stronger
community life.”
