Eighteen families of Bouma Settlement in Labasa face the painful reality of leaving their homes behind as the Government moves to save them from rising waters and worsening floods.
Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo said the settlement is simply too dangerous for people to live in.
“Bouma Settlement is located on tiri land, which presents significant safety hazards to its residents and poses environmental concerns,” he said.
Mr Vosarogo said the community’s biggest natural protection had been damaged over the years.
“The clearing of mangroves for housing and firewood use has weakened the natural coastal barrier, increasing the risk of river water intrusion.
“This, combined with rising sea levels during high tides and frequent heavy rainfall, has made the area prone to regular flooding.”
Some families have lived in Bouma for more than 30 years, while others settled there as recently as 2019, hoping for a better life near the river. However, the minister said their hopes are now overshadowed by constant threats of flooding and erosion.
“Given these risks, the Government’s only viable intervention for such hazardous zones is relocation, as ensuring the safety of communities is a key priority.”
Mr Vosarogo stressed that legal titles are not possible for families living on this type of land.
“The settlement is on mangrove-covered land, and the residents are not eligible for land regularisation. Instead, they fall under relocation assistance, which is the Government’s long-term approach to managing settlements in environmentally-sensitive and high-risk areas.”
He confirmed that 18 households would receive help to relocate to safer ground.
