Mechanisms and plans to address the issue of informal settlements would be a feature of the National Development Plan (NDP), Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad says.
He told a stakeholders meeting with Nadawa area representatives and residents on Tuesday the plan would be launched soon.
Prof Prasad said the Government was committed to addressing fundamental issues within informal settlements, and that the mid to long-term strategy was ensuring affordable housing to all the people of Fiji.
“And part of our National Development Plan, which will be launched very soon, will also establish mechanisms and plans to address the bigger issue of informal settlements,” he said.
“I don’t want to promise today that the issues will be resolved tomorrow.
“We want to understand the situation well which has happened in the past 25 years. What was the agreement?”
Prof Prasad said resolving long-standing issues would include residents obtaining proper titles, drainage and access to utility services such as sewerage, electricity and water.
The Nadawa meeting included representatives from the Finance Ministry, Housing Ministry, Nasinu Land Purchase & Housing Co-operative Ltd.
