The Government is on the verge of securing land in Koronivia to relocate hundreds of families ordered to vacate the Nabua Muslim League settlement, as efforts intensify to finalise an acquisition within the next month.
Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa told fijivillage News that the Ministry is close to completing negotiations for Greenfield, owned by a landowning unit from Navuso.
Nalumisa says consultations have been held with the Lands Department and the iTaukei Land Trust Board, and the acquisition process is now in its final stages.
He says once the land is secured, the Ministry will immediately move to develop a scheme plan to determine how many residential lots can be created.
He says he hopes development works can be completed before the end of the year.
The Minister says while some residents are willing to return to their villages, others have applied for housing packages through the Housing Authority of Fiji.
He expressed gratitude to the landowning unit for offering the Koronivia site and also thanked the Fijian Muslim League for working collaboratively with Government towards relocating settlers currently residing on its land.
He also confirmed that he met League officials this week to outline the Ministry’s relocation strategy.
The Minister says the Government has reviewed several land options before narrowing its focus to the Koronivia site.
He says discussions have involved traditional landowners, including Turaga Mataqali representatives, as the Ministry works through final acquisition details.
Meanwhile, progress is also being made in relocating tenants from the Public Rental Board estate at Mead Road in Nabua.
Nalumisa says around 20 tenants remain, but many have already moved voluntarily or have been absorbed into other vacant PRB flats.
Others have secured leases through the iTaukei Land Trust Board or applied through the Lands Department.
The Ministry is now coordinating with landlords and relevant agencies to assist remaining tenants with relocation, as part of a broader strategy to address informal settlements and housing pressures.
