Labasa residents raise land issue concerns

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Mereseini Vuniwaqa said the development and subdivision of squatter settlements in the Northern Division is in next year's project plan.

While speaking to about 200 people in the Public Consultation at Labasa Civic Centre, a resident raised this issue.

Vuniwaqa said that she has to look into the status of the land before the development and subdivision of the squatter settlements begin.

However, Vuniwaqa said that not all the land will be subdivided.

A 30-year-old rice farmer also raised the issue that he has 160 acres of land for farming which is not sufficient for planting rice.

He has asked for more land.

He also asked the Minister for assistance to build a rice mill in Labasa so that farmers can easily transport their produce for processing since the farmers have to take the rice to the Dreketi Rice Mill which takes a couple of hours of travelling.

Vuniwaqa said that she will look into the matter and discuss the issue with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Also a 35-year-old resident of Labasa Town, Abid Hussein raised the issue about his residential block.

He said that he has already paid $10,000 in order to get the lease but the Lands Department in Labasa is asking for another $20,000 for the lease.

The Minister assured him that she will look into the issue.