The government is planning to assist tens of thousands of squatters who live on state land by issuing them 99 year leases.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama made this announcement in Field 40, Lautoka today.
Bainimarama said this is the first of more than 50 other settlements where the government is committed to regularising their occupancy.
He said this is a key promise of the Fiji First before the last year’s elections where they said they will develop more state land for squatter development.
Bainimarama today handed over the first of the approval notices to lease to those who have settled on state land in the area.
The 40 approval notices issued today are the first of a total of 144 that will be eventually issued to the residents of Field 40.
Cases of people illegally taking money from the squatters in Field 40 were also highlighted by Bainimarama.
He said the government will ensure that this does not happen.
The Prime Minister also encouraged the people in Field 40 to now work on improving their homes as they now have 99 year leases.
