Bulitavu rejects vote-buying claims over Nabavatu relocation

Minister for Rural, Maritime and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu has dismissed claims that the completion of the Nabavatu village relocation project this year is a vote-buying exercise.

Mr Bulitavu said the October completion timeline for the relocation project at Dreketi in Macuata was driven by construction progress, not political considerations.

“Such claims are coming from people who think this is happening on the eve of a General Election, but the work must be done,” he said.

The Government-funded relocation project is scheduled to be completed within the current financial year.

Nabavatu village was affected by a geohazard landslide during Tropical Cyclone Ana in 2021, forcing families to leave their homes and relocate to a temporary site.

Initially, 85 families were relocated to Savadrua in Dreketi. However, some families later returned to their original homes, leaving 37 families still residing at the temporary site.

Relocation to the new site at Nadoiviri in Dreketi will require villagers to take ownership and responsibility for their new settlement, Mr Bulitavu said.

He said briefings would be conducted before families move into their new homes, in collaboration with the provincial council and the Roko.

“These briefings will help villagers understand how to conduct themselves at the new site, given the housing layout they will be living in,” Mr Bulitavu said.

He explained that the new settlement would follow a village-based layout, with families living within shared compound arrangements.

“There should be no conflict over land demarcation or compounds because each family will own its housing unit, while the village will collectively own the compound premises,” he said.

Mr Bulitavu confirmed that home ownership would be based on the list of affected families from the original Nabavatu village, coordinated through the Office of the Commissioner Northern.

He said villagers would be provided with basic amenities, including access to drinking water, electricity and other essential services.

Delays explained

Mr Bulitavu said there were legitimate reasons for delays in the Nabavatu relocation project.

He said time was required to secure land at Nadoiviri, followed by a tender process that also took time to finalise.

Unfavourable weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and wet ground conditions, further affected the construction timeline.

Mr Bulitavu said these challenges did not reflect a lack of commitment by the Coalition Government to provide housing relief to the 37 families currently living at the temporary site in Savadrua, Dreketi.