Minister for Local Government and Housing Maciu Nalumisa says the Government has a mammoth task ahead in resolving issues facing squatter settlements throughout the country.
He said the families from over 400 households at the Fiji Muslim League squatter settlement in Nabua, Suva were not the only ones served with eviction notices.
“Bhindi subdivision and I think Waidamu settlement have also been served with notices,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“There are about five families in Navua that have been served notices as we speak.
“And there are settlements around even in Khalsa.
“So, it’s a big challenge now for the Government to try and assist those people that have been affected.
“It’s a mammoth task, but as a government, we must make sure that we assist those people.”
He advised people not to build their houses on other people’s land.
“People who go and build on other people’s land, first they need to come to the ministry, the Ministry of Housing or to the Lands Department, or even to the iTaukei Lands Trust Board to assist them to determine the legal ownership of the land, to avoid these types of issues recurring in future.
“I think that is something that maybe, we need to do as the ministry in collaboration with bigger landlords out there to start creating awareness.
“People living illegally on lands need to come forward so that we can assist them with information because the land does not belong to them.”
