As the Government looks at reducing the number of squatter settlements around the country, the Water Authority of Fiji stressed that they will continue to provide their services to these settlements if certain requirements are met.

Authority Spokesperson, Joe Cava responding to queries from Fijivillage said that they make connections to anyone who requests for it, provided that there is an existing pipeline in  the area.

Cava said that before connections are made at a squatter settlement, the applicant must produce a letter from the Squatter Resettlement Unit and two letters from the Lands Department.

However if the papers are not provided then connections will not be made.

Fijivillage has noticed that in some squatter settlements people have water supply and when the Authority was asked the question on whether they will stop this, Cava said that the Authority only provides water and sewerage services and are not in the business of decreasing squatter settlements.

Meanwhile, Special Administrator for Suva Chandu Umaria has also revealed that the Council will now be charging squatters for services such as garbage collection because for a long time they have been using services that are supposed to be only for rate payers.




Story by: Shalvin Deo