We are only encouraging street dwellers to live on the streets by giving them food, says Lautoka City Council board of special administrator’s chairperson Taitusi Rasoki.
He made the comment during an interview yesterday after concerns were raised on social media about street dwellers who were illegally living in makeshift shelters at Marine Drive in Lautoka.
“First, we need to take them off the streets and take them to a shelter where they can be rehabilitated so that they do not come back to the streets,” Mr Rasoki said.
“By giving them food we are only encouraging them to remain on the streets because they got food there. So, we are trying to stop that process,” he said.
He said removing people from the streets and public spaces was not easy.
“Because some of these people prefer the streets , they have gone to the shelters and not long they are back on the streets.”
When asked if the council’s return-and-earn initiative was encouraging more street dwellers to live on the streets and earn income,
“If we move them to a proper shelter they can earn money through this return-and-earn initiative and remain in the shelter and get rehabilitated by those who are looking after the shelter. So that they can change from there.
“I don’t think the issue of return-and- earn initiative has an impact on them being on the street. They can still do that, but they must be placed in a shelter or home.
“The result of this, they have to be removed from illegally staying at the spot.
“And honestly, they have to be removed and rehabilitated too at the same time, which is the work of the social welfare, they are the ones who are supposed to be taking a lead role.
“We will be meeting again this week with the Department of Social Welfare and the police to map out an action plan,” he said.
Questions have been sent to the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran.
