The Ministry of Housing has acquired two greenfield sites within the Suva-Nausori/Colo-i-Suva corridor for the relocation of Nanuku, Vatuwaqa residents.
More than 50 families of Nanuku settlement in Vatuwaqa have been given 30 days from June 23 by the Bhindhi Brothers to vacate the area.
The residents of Nanuku have been served with eviction notices and face losing their homes after allegedly occupying the land “illegally,” despite many saying they have nowhere else to go.
Housing and Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa told this newspaper the Government had approved a resettlement and relocation programme and allocated funding for the initiative.
“I was recently informed that some residents of Nanuku settlement were served with eviction notices,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“On Wednesday, Minister of Policing accompanied me and the Ministry of Housing officials to meet with the residents.
“Through these consultations, the residents were informed of the various types of government assistance available through the Ministry of Housing, Housing Authority and iTaukei Land Trust Board.”
He said a socio-economic survey would be conducted in two weeks to help the Government better understand the circumstances of individual households.
Mr Nalumisa said the survey would assist the Government in determining how the needs of affected families could be addressed through the relevant ministries.
“In terms of ownership, this was also brought up during the consultation, and my permanent secretary for Housing has been tasked to look into this and will be providing my office and the residents feedback.
“However, this will not affect the need to conduct the socio-economic survey as this will enable the Government to understand the nature of the problems faced by individual households and how it can be addressed by government through the respective ministries.”
