Sxty eight families in Navua were issued with lease approval notices for 99 years by the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources yesterday.

The approval of lease were given to the families from Vakacegu, Naitata, Tokotoko and Wainividio subdivisions.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said far too long the residents were uncertain of their future and unsure of what their children would inherit, lacking a sense of belonging and ownership.

“We have found that there are a number of people who are living on this land for over 40 years and it is not theirs, so they are not comfortable with that, and that is the reason why we did this.”

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, assured the families that those days were over.

Mr Koya said the new approval notices would secure a certain and more prosperous future for the 68 families.

“Today, you can return to your homes with that knowledge that it is your home.”

“I like to begin by thanking the Honourable PM for his vision and commitment in making the regularisation of these squatter settlements a reality,” he said.

“For up to 40 years, some of you have been living here as squatters without the comfort and dignity of land ownership.

“But today, because of this Government and because of this Prime Minister, we are able to grant this approval of lease and bring securities and stabilities into your lives.”

“The approval is part of the commitment,” he said.

Some benefits of the approval are:

             It can be extended even further.

             They will be able to loan in commercial banks to build better homes.

             They can also access the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to build their first home.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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