Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gave wise counsel to 63 families whose lives as squatters ended last night.

He told them to make the most of their approval notices to lease the land they had been occupying for decades.

Speaking to close to 200 Fijians who had turned up to witness 63 families get a new lease to the crown land, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum told them of the opportunities the new lease presented them.

He informed them that in the coming days, officers from financial institutions together with insurance agents will be visiting the families to inform them of how they could use the lease as collateral, get a loan and build their proper homes.

Most of the squatters have been living in run-down houses, not willing to invest in properties which they had no legal rights to.

The event at Omkar Road in Narere changed it for these families. Now, with the title of the land in their names, they would be able to invest in proper homes.

Joining Mr Sayed-Khaiyum at the event was Lands Minister Faiyaz Koya and chair of Fiji Insurance Council who is also the chief executive officer of Tower Insurance Sarah-Jane Wild.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had been in discussions with the Council and with banks to get them to offer low interest rates to the new lease holders. Part of the package that will be offered to the lessees will be the option to have their homes insured,

He reasoned that in times of natural disasters, it became important to have their properties insured.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also advised them not to sell off their lands in a hurry.

Each block of land in the area costs anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000.

He also told them not to put their children’s future at risk by selling off the land and squatting elsewhere. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also talked to the residents about the importance of keeping their community clean.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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