Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has announced that the National Development Plan (NDP) will include strategies to tackle the challenges posed by informal settlements in Fiji. During a meeting with community representatives and residents from Nadawa on Tuesday, he indicated that the plan would be unveiled soon.
Professor Prasad affirmed the government’s dedication to addressing critical issues related to informal settlements, emphasizing that the objective is to provide affordable housing for all Fijians in both the medium and long term. He stated, “Part of our National Development Plan, which will be launched very soon, will also establish mechanisms and plans to address the bigger issue of informal settlements.”
He cautioned against expecting immediate solutions, saying, “I don’t want to promise today that the issues will be resolved tomorrow.” He highlighted the importance of understanding the historical context over the past 25 years, questioning what agreements were made previously concerning these issues.
Resolving the longstanding challenges includes ensuring residents receive proper land titles, as well as improving access to essential services such as drainage, sewerage, electricity, and water. The meeting in Nadawa also included officials from the Finance Ministry, Housing Ministry, and the Nasinu Land Purchase & Housing Co-operative Ltd.