A short state visit by Indian President Droupadi Murmu has captured public interest, but attention in Suva this week has been split between high‑level diplomacy and a tense domestic political climate as Parliament resumes sitting.
Political analysts say the opposition’s recent split has weakened its capacity to hold the government to account. Renowned academic Professor Steven Ratuva warned that the division could further erode an already vulnerable parliamentary opposition, heightening scrutiny of how opposition parties will perform in debate and oversight.
Alongside political developments, longstanding housing and leadership challenges remain urgent. The Ministry of Housing has acknowledged that a lack of funding and resistance from some illegal settlers have stalled resettlement efforts, delaying assistance for thousands of families living in informal settlements. Officials noted that launching housing projects is a complex, time‑consuming process; Waisasa Settlement in Tacirua — where the potential eviction of about 100 families is under discussion — is not listed among current development sites, officials say.
Land agencies report slow progress despite efforts: since 2010 the iTaukei Land Trust Board has issued more than 40 land development leases aimed at relocating squatters, but tangible resettlement outcomes have been limited. Nationwide, government figures point to more than 250 informal settlements on state, iTaukei and freehold land — a problem that UN‑Habitat frames as part of a global housing crisis. The UN agency warns that by 2030 roughly 40 percent of the world’s population will require adequate housing and estimates a daily need of some 96,000 affordable housing units to meet global demand.
The gap in local leadership compounds these pressures. Government and traditional institutions have raised alarms about thousands of chiefly and customary roles remaining vacant, weakening vanua governance that is often central to land negotiations and community decision‑making. Officials from the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission have been conducting province‑by‑province consultations to fill Bose Vanua positions and plan training for new leaders — a move presented as vital to strengthening community governance and aiding locally led development.
There are some encouraging signs of progress on the housing front. The Public Rental Board has been refurbishing previously unoccupied units — including the 36 Lagilagi flats at Jittu Estate in Raiwaqa — to add affordable options for those in need. Officials say such redevelopments could be offered for rent or purchase and paired with poverty‑alleviation supports and pathways for tenants who wish to return to rural livelihoods.
Commentary and recommendations
– Coordination across ministries, landowners and traditional leaders is essential. Strong vanua leadership can help mediate land issues, reduce resistance to resettlement and build community buy‑in.
– Prioritise transparent, community‑led consultations before any eviction or resettlement action to reduce conflict and identify practical, culturally appropriate options for affected families.
– Use small‑scale redevelopment successes, like the Jittu Estate project, as pilots to demonstrate quality, tenant supports and links to livelihoods programs; these can attract further investment.
– Explore blended financing — government funding, PRB involvement and development partners — to accelerate delivery of affordable units.
Summary
Fiji is navigating a busy political moment as Parliament and a high‑profile state visit share the spotlight, while deeper structural challenges persist: housing insecurity, stalled resettlement, and gaps in customary leadership. Addressing these problems will require coordinated policy, community engagement and targeted investments. Restoring and empowering local leadership alongside practical housing pilots offers a pathway to rebuild trust and deliver tangible improvements for families living in informal settlements.
Additional comments
– Linking tenure and leadership reform: filling vacant chiefly positions is not only a cultural priority but also a practical step to unblock land‑use discussions and speed up housing solutions.
– Communications: clearer timelines and regular public updates from housing agencies could reduce uncertainty for affected communities and strengthen public confidence.
– A hopeful note: visible, well‑managed projects that combine decent housing with livelihood support can create momentum — showing residents and landowners that resettlement and redevelopment can be fair, feasible and beneficial.
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