Six informal settlements across the country are set to undergo upgrades as part of the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) initiative. The settlements targeted for improvement are Komave, Nauluvatu, Matata, Vunibua, Wailea, and Muanivatu.
Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, made the announcement during the RISE project’s launch at the Fiji National University. The upgrades will include the creation of rock-lined drainage, footpaths, boardwalks, and the installation of twelve wetpods in the six settlements.
Nalumisa outlined additional features of the project, such as spot backfilling for areas prone to waterlogging, the placement of 74 pressure tanks at various sites, six communal sewer tanks, and the construction of three treatment wetlands in Komave, Nauluvatu, and Vunibua. A demonstration site at Tamavua-i-wai will showcase multiple pressure tanks and treatment wetlands.
The RISE program aims to significantly reduce community exposure to contamination by at least 80 percent through these enhancements.
During the event, Nalumisa emphasized the commitment of the Coalition Government, under the theme “Leaving no one behind: Partnership for improving community health through safely managed sanitation for all.” He reiterated the government’s dedication to providing safe, affordable housing and essential services for all Fijians, particularly in revitalizing informal settlements.
For the financial years 2023-2024, $1 million has been allocated for funding, with an additional $1 million set aside in the 2024-2025 budget. The ministry is also reviewing the 2011 National Housing Policy as part of institutional reforms to address rapid urban growth and improve land development planning.
The RISE project is a collaborative effort supported by Monash University and overseen by the Ministry of Housing and NZMFAT.
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