Families at Nanuku settlement in Vatuwaqa have welcomed the Government’s response to their relocation, describing it as a positive step as they await a socio-economic survey.
Nanuku Settlement Relocation Committee chairman and long-time resident Savenaca Sokini said government officials had visited the community to explain the relocation process.
“They came and briefed us on the Government’s position regarding our relocation,” Mr Sokini said.
“They proposed that we undergo a survey to determine the best allocation for us, so that we could be relocated to places that best suit our needs.”
Mr Sokini said residents appreciated the Government’s plan, as many households relied on casual employment, were retired or earned low incomes.
“We are grateful to the Government for coming up with these plans to relocate us somewhere we can be properly accommodated.”
He said residents understood the socio-economic survey would determine how households would be allocated for relocation based on their individual circumstances.
“As far as we know, where we stand now is that we have to go through the survey first, and they will allocate according to what they find in the survey, based on each individual household’s economic situation.”
Mr Sokini said the settlement committee hoped the survey would be completed within the next two weeks.
He added that more than 480 families lived in the settlement.
