About 60 families in Nabavatu Village in Drekeniwai, Vanua Levu are still living in tents following the devastating effect of TC Ana in 2021 and plans are being made to relocate them by the end of this year.
Following the destruction of their homes in a landslip, the villagers have been temporarily residing at the local Assemblies of God Church compound.
Minister for Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka says some of the tents are beginning to show wear and tear and there are leaks as one might expect but they are trying to make sure that if it's leaking, then they are able to put a tarpaulin over the tents.
He says this is the full extent of what they can do at the moment apart from actually relocating them.
He says when they took over government, the villagers asked for a waiver of their water bill and it was arranged with the Water Authority of Fiji.
He says whatever issues arise, the Commissioner North is on standby 24/7 to hear their concerns.
When questioned by fijivillage News on why relocating them is taking so long, Ditoka says they do not have total agreement between the members of the community on where they would like to go. He says they are also awaiting the results of the geo-technical survey of the alternative site that they have chosen.
Ditoka also says they were told that a previous geo-tech survey had confirmed that it was not safe, so they had looked for another alternative spot and they have paid for the geo-tech survey to happen again.
When questioned on who is paying for the relocation and construction of new homes, Ditoka says they have got development partners that are standing in line waiting to assist.
He says Danish Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth with their friends from the UNFPA were at Nabavatu last week and there will be a few of Fiji's donor partners helping them pay for the move while the government itself is also putting aside resources.
Ditoka adds they are all working to get the relocation done as soon as possible.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
