THREE settlements housing 60 households and located a stone’s throw from Sigatoka Town do not have proper drainage, sewerage systems and electricity supply.

Residents say they have been living at the settlement for 40 years, but requests to Government for assistance in securing a proper land lease to be able to have these basic amenities have fallen on deaf ears.

Advisory councillor Jiten Kumar said most of the homes were located at Vunakavika settlement.

“We don’t have a proper land lease,” he said of the flood-prone area.

“Some of us paid our goodwill when we bought the land and we pay our annual land rent to TLTB. Without our lease, we can’t build better houses that can be safe from flooding and we can’t get water and electricity supply.

“We need the permanent lease so that we can get all these things.”

Mr Kumar said the densely-populated area had a population of about 500 people.

While visiting the residents on Thursday, Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Parveen Kumar said they were concerned about the issues faced by the residents.

“They don’t have a proper lease and because of that they can’t get consistent water and electricity,” he said.

“About 60 households are without these things and we are trying to see what we can do to help not only get these basic needs, but also assist them in securing a land lease.

“We cannot connect their water and electricity until they are able to get that consent from the landowners so we’ve asked the Nadroga provincial administrator and the Nadroga Provincial Council to have a discussion with the residents and the landowners so they can be able to reach an agreement and get their consent.

“Once that consent is secured then we can be able to move in.”