Karalo Naituki has been a resident of the Fiji Muslim League squatter settlement in Nabua for over three decades. He is among nearly a thousand residents who may face eviction as the Fiji Muslim League has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings to remove those living on their property.
“I have been living here since the 1980s,” Naituki shared, expressing the initial hope he and his wife had when they moved to the settlement in search of a better life. Over the years, many families have joined them, building their lives in the community. As the chairman of Zone 4, which houses over 200 residents, he noted that discussions regarding potential eviction have been ongoing for years.
Despite the turbulence of eviction rumors, Naituki mentioned that they have yet to receive formal notices. “At times, we would hear threats of eviction, but no actual action was taken. One year, they even marked our houses, suggesting they were preparing for eviction, but it never materialized. We’ve heard claims of potential compensation to help us relocate, but nothing has been confirmed.”
For Naituki and other residents, leaving the settlement poses significant challenges. Many have established homes, jobs, and educational opportunities for their children after relocating from villages and islands. He stated, “It would be very hard for us to find another place.”
In an official notice released last Saturday, the Fiji Muslim League encouraged residents to seek legal advice and start removing their belongings from the land as soon as possible. The league’s trustees stated, “We wish to inform all occupants of the league’s Nabua land that legal eviction proceedings are commencing immediately. As a religious and charitable organization, we plan to develop this land and require the cooperation of the occupants to vacate within the legally stipulated timeframe.”
Lawyers representing the league, Shelvin Singh Lawyers, indicated that further details regarding the eviction notice would be forthcoming.
This situation highlights the complex dynamics surrounding long-term informal settlements and the challenges faced by residents who have made these places their homes. While uncertainty looms for the residents of Nabua, this situation serves as an opportunity for community dialogue and negotiations that could lead to solutions beneficial for all parties involved.
As residents seek to defend their homes and advocate for their rights, there remains a hope that constructive conversations can yield fair outcomes that recognize both the needs of the community and the intentions of the Fiji Muslim League.
Leave a comment