As a prominent tourism town, Nadi must work collaboratively with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious organisations, and the business community to find comprehensive solutions.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa said this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nadi Town Council mini-buses stand at Raniga Street on Wednesday.

Mr Katamotu said it was crucial to address issues concerning the less fortunate and people living on the streets.

“It is crucial for us to address social issues such as homelessness, beggars, and supporting the less fortunate on our streets.”

He said collaboration work from stakeholders would solve those issues.

Some Nadi Town business owners had raised concerns against homeless people and beggars sleeping on corridors.

Narewa Village headman Viliame Dawai said most people of iTaukei street people were from other provinces.

“They are not from here in Nadi,” he said.

“We have ensured that no villager from here is begging and being homeless around here.

“We are asking the council to find some ways to take them back to their villages or to their families,” Mr Dawai said.

Council acting chief executive officer Muni Reddy said were working with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation before and during COVID to identify social issues regarding people living on the streets.

“Some who have mental issues were taken to the hospital. We had to identify their families and they were taken there and some to their villages,” Mr Reddy said.

“But they kept coming back to live on the streets.”

Story by: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj