Considering the plight of the squatters in Navitavaya, Nasinu, who have been issued with eviction orders by the High Court, the Ministries of Lands and Local Government have been engaged in a joint exercise to consider options for the immediate relocation of the squatters as required by law.

Minister for Local Government Colonel Samuela Saumatua said they have decided to offer the relocation site Sasawira in Nasinu, 9 Miles about a kilometer inland off the main Kings road.

He said the Local Government ministry had developed the site with basic infrastructure and utility services and public transport is also available and readily accessible in the area.
 
There are about 13 houses compromising of about 20 families in the settlement with a total settlement population of about 50 people.

Colonel Saumatua said similar options for relocation were offered by the Ministry back in 2006 to the squatters when they faced eviction but were not acceptable to them.
 
All the families have now been offered a secure land lot at the relocation site and were shown the sites last Thursday by the Ministry and Housing authority staff and accompanied by police.

Colonel Saumatua said the leaseholder of the property where the squatters were located is also expected to provide transportation for the relocation.
 
The Minister stressed that this initiative was implemented on compassionate, humanitarian grounds to ensure that the households have an alternative rather than feeling compelled to taking extreme steps like squatting elsewhere or living on the streets.

To date nine households have accepted the offer to relocate to Sasawira however, none have confirmed a date for relocation or have followed up with the offer.

One household has relocated to land owned by the Kalabu landowners.



Story by: Roneel Lal