Government has requested the Fiji Muslim League (FML) for a time frame of one year so it can work on relocation plans — to assist over 400 families who live at a settlement in Nabua.
The residents were handed eviction notices by the FML and had until Saturday, December 28 to vacate the land.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa met the residents yesterday and assured them they would be assisted.
He also told them the ministry would be conducting a survey from Friday to understand the background of the residents.
“Because I know some are living here who must be renting houses, owners must be at another place, houses are here,” he said.
“So these are some things that we want to find out before we map our relocation strategies, we want to know all this basic information.”
“We have asked Fiji Muslim League to give us at least one year because, we need to look for land, and we must have some budget support. They have assured me that they will raise it with their council.
“It is a religious body and it has the compassion to listen to the people.”
He said he had a meeting with other stakeholders as well to discuss ways to assist the residents.
“The meeting involved agencies like the CEO of Housing Authority, the CEO of TLTB, as well as the Director of Lands. We looked at all avenues in trying to assist the people that actually need assistance right now.
“And after this meeting, I hope they are going to enjoy Christmas and it’s something that I can take from this meeting.”
Mr Nalumisa said iTaukei Lands Trust Board was assisting in identifying land where the residents could be relocated.
“I was advised of some of the previous relocation plans. There was a land that was identified by the Fiji Muslim League. But there are some people who are reluctant to move to those places. So, that’s something that we need to look at.
“We can look at other ways of giving an incentive so that we can really relocate all.
“There are some things that we need to consider as part of a relocation plan.”
