More than 300 squatters in Tauvegavega, Ba, will be given leases to the land they are now occupying.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport, Parveen Bala.

Squatters have lived on that land for many years.

The land is administered by the iTaukei Land Trust Board on behalf of the local iTaukei landowners.

The ministry has acquired the leases for the squatters, who will now pay the yearly rental.

Mr Kumar confirmed this saying the land would be subdivided into lots.

“The area includes Tauvegavega, right down to beside Govind Park,” Mr Kumar said.

“These people have been staying here for free for a long time so now we are developing the area and giving them individual plots.

“All the consultations have been carried out and we are presently getting a consultant to carry out the scheme for the whole area.

“We will not be disturbing any of the houses where they presently area but only those that will be in the way where the roads would be constructed.

“We will get the development lease to the whole area.”

Mr Kumar said the development should be completed by 2017.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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