Over $6M to convert squatter areas into settlements

The Housing Ministry is expected to use over $6 million over the next three to four years to get more squatter areas declared as settlements.

This is after the Lakena squatter area was declared a settlement with over a 100 residents receiving 99 year land leases.

Director Housing Kolinio Bola said that each year, Government allocated a limited fund of about $1.5 million for squatter upgrading and this will amount to $6 million over the next 4 years as they look at completing their upgrading of squatter areas in Nasinu.
 
At the moment, the Ministry is meeting with officials from the Ba Town Council to determine the final scheme work for the Badravu squatter settlement and also expected to release the amount the residents have to pay in order to get leases once upgrade work ends.

Bola revealed that the Ministry has managed to complete their plans for 2011 and are starting to work on new squatter areas in Nasinu and Ba.


Story by: Paradise Tudrau