Informal Settlement Leases Expire as Renewal Talks Face Hurdles

Concerns are mounting regarding the expiration of development leases for informal settlements, raising significant attention during a recent parliamentary Standing Committee hearing. Manasa Lesuma, the Permanent Secretary for Housing, revealed that the Ministry currently holds 48 development leases, with about 14 of these having expired.

Lesuma explained that efforts are underway to negotiate lease renewals in collaboration with the iTaukei Land Trust Board and landowning units. He acknowledged that there have been instances where landowners showed reluctance to extend the leases, but he remains optimistic as consultations continue. “Hopefully, they will give the approvals and consents,” he stated.

Parveen Bala, a member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, voiced concern regarding the substantial payments already made to the TLTB. Bala emphasized that the initial expectation was mutual benefits through development, stating, “What you have said and what I’ve been hearing is that a lot of development leases that were obtained have now not been renewed. So the money that was initially given has gone down to the drain.”

Acknowledging these worries, Director of Housing Teopola Kulavati confirmed that the Ministry shares these concerns. He elaborated that the Ministry has engaged a consultant to execute the necessary geotechnical, topographic, and environmental impact assessments, a process that demands time for stakeholder engagement and feedback.

In response to the challenges, the Ministry has ramped up efforts to share information with both the TLTB and landowners, clarifying that the development projects remain in the planning stages, with actual construction to commence only after securing engineering approvals and funding.

This ongoing dialogue represents a crucial step toward resolving concerns about expired leases while fostering constructive partnerships between the Ministry of Housing, landowners, and other stakeholders. The hope remains that through collaborative efforts, the situation can lead to sustainable development opportunities for the communities involved.