The Housing Ministry is currently developing 48 informal settlements, as stated by Emosi Raqisia, the ministry’s projects manager. This information was shared in response to a question from former assistant health minister Alexander O’Connor during a recent National Housing Policy public consultation in Lautoka. O’Connor inquired about the ministry’s progress in addressing the issue of informal settlements, which have been a longstanding concern.
Mr. Raqisia highlighted that formalizing these settlements is a key initiative for the ministry. He noted that four of the settlements are currently under construction, while another 19 are in the planning phase. Furthermore, the development of three informal settlements has been completed, and they are now in the final stages of lease issuance to tenants. Mr. Raqisia emphasized that this outlines the current status of the ministry’s efforts in formalizing the informal sector.