SUVA, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government said on Tuesday that Fijians living in informal settlements after receiving their 99-year lease will qualify to apply for the first home buyer's scheme.
According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), Fijian Housing Minister Parveen Kumar said Tuesday that these settlements will be developed with electricity, access to clean water and many more amenities not available to them now.
He said this was in line with the Fijian government's initiative to provide better housing for all Fijians.
The Fijian government has allocated 15 million Fijian dollars (about 6.9 million U.S. dollars) in the budget for the First Home Owners Buyers Grant.
This means first time buyers with a joint annual income of less than 30,000 Fijian dollars (about 13,900 U.S. dollars) will receive 15,000 Fijian dollars (about 6,984 U.S. dollars) towards the construction of their first home and 10,000 Fijian dollars (about 4,656 U.S. dollars) in the event they choose to purchase a home.
According to the People's Community Network (PCN) Fiji, there are about 230 squatter settlements in the South Pacific island nation.
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said earlier the Fijian government was committed to what he called regularizing 50 squatter settlements in Fiji.
Bainimarama said that handing out the land titles fulfilled an election promise by the ruling Fiji First party to develop more state land for squatter development.
He said the government would redevelop settlements to be given proper amenities such as piped water, proper sewerage and power, and the squatters given leases.
Kevin Barr, from the People's Community Network, said squatter settlements are a continuing major issue for Fiji as they are home to around 20 percent of Fiji's population.
Some squatter settlements accommodate 800-900 families, others are smaller and accommodate only about 40 or 50.
Barr said there was concern squatters who received land titles from the government, could eventually sell them and end up in other settlements.
He said the agreements should prohibit people from selling their land for a certain period of time.
