It was a joyous occasion for 24 surviving veterans of the Christmas Island nuclear tests known as Operation Grapple after they received more than $9,000 each from the government.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji should acknowledge these veterans while they are still alive as many of them have passed away.
He adds that thousands of British, Australian and New Zealand servicemen, scientists and construction workers were also exposed to the harmful radiation.
Bainimarama says Fiji is not prepared to wait for Britain to do the right thing and the country owes it to these men to help them now and not wait for the British politicians and bureaucrats.
One of the surviving veterans who was a Leading Seaman in 1960, Wame Turaga said he is grateful to the government and the money he received today will help him build a house for his family.
Meanwhile, Naval Warrant Officer One, Paul Ahpay who also went to Christmas Island said the money he received will definitely help his children.
The payment the surviving veterans received is to assist in some of the medical costs that had been borne by the veterans and families over the years and is not a form of compensation as there is an ongoing legal case between the Veterans Association and the British Government.
The 2015 budget has allocated $2.95 million to the Ministry of Defence for this purpose.
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