A former senior civil servant has urged the Government to create a five-year plan to eliminate all squatter settlements. During a public consultation regarding the draft National Housing Policy for 2024-2030, Saverio Baleikanacea emphasized the importance of revitalizing a housing project once spearheaded by Catholic priest Father Kevin Barr.
“They executed an excellent project, and that’s the type of initiative the Government should pursue to eradicate squatter settlements,” he stated. Baleikanacea highlighted that the existence of such settlements promotes illegality, urging the need to uphold the rule of law. He also pointed out the necessity for the Government to handle the issue of undeveloped land more effectively.
“If you cannot manage your land, then the Government should take control,” he insisted, noting that the Government holds onto land unnecessarily, which needs to be resolved.
Manasa Lesuma, the permanent secretary of the Housing Ministry, acknowledged the importance of considering the livelihoods of those truly in need of housing. “We must recognize that some individuals are genuinely impoverished, while others aspire to reside in better communities but are hindered by a lack of affordable housing and available land lots,” he explained.
Lesuma mentioned ongoing efforts to address these housing challenges through the Housing Authority, including a current increase in subdivision projects. He indicated that more than 1,000 new lots are set to become available soon.
However, he stressed that relocating squatters or informal settlements cannot be done arbitrarily; it must involve providing adequate housing options and available land parcels for those displaced.