A former employee of the now-de-registered Peoples Community Network (PCN), Savu Tawake, has made allegations regarding the management of funds related to the Lagilagi Housing project. In an interview, Tawake insisted that all financial transactions were meticulously documented while criticizing the former government for interfering with the project, which has caused significant delays and left many deserving families in need.
The Lagilagi Housing initiative, located at the Jittu Estate—home to the largest informal settlement in Suva with over 3,000 residents—encountered transparency issues that contributed to its slow progress. Tawake, who was terminated from PCN in 2019, has been vocal about the complications surrounding the project, including claims that the former Minister for Housing, Parveen Bala, influenced its execution but has yet to respond to requests for comments.
The Public Rental Board (PRB), having taken over the project following PCN’s deregistration, is set to oversee the completion of 36 units, with an additional eight expected to break ground next month. However, it remains unclear whether families residing in the Jittu squatter settlement will be prioritized, raising concerns about the potential for those outside the settlement to be favored for housing.
The original goal of the Lagilagi Housing project was to complete 153 units across different phases, primarily funded by the government. Due to delays in payments, the construction by Fortech Construction Pte Limited has stalled, leaving a significant debt to the company. Some community members feel that the former government’s contentious relations with influential figures, such as the late Fr. Kevin Barr, who was highly critical of the government, may have contributed to these delays.
Sireli Naqau, a long-standing resident of the Jittu settlement, expressed hope that he and his family could secure one of the new units. Statements from PRB indicate that tenants may need to provide proof of income to qualify for housing, emphasizing ongoing survey efforts by the Ministry of Housing to better assess the needs of the area.
Despite the slow progression of the project, Qalowasa highlighted that it was intended to be a pilot initiative aimed at addressing the needs of informal settlements. Although past challenges have created a difficult landscape, there remains hope that with better organization and commitment from all involved parties, the goal of providing stable housing for those in need can still be realized.
In summary, while the Lagilagi Housing project has faced numerous obstacles, there are ongoing efforts to address the needs of families in squatter settlements and to improve transparency and accountability in its management, paving the way for potential future success.
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