Squatter families get 99 year state leases in the North

72 families living in squatter settlements in the Northern Division for years have been given approval notices to get 99 year leases to live on the state land they are occupying.

While handing over the approval notices at the Labasa Market today, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said that by having security of tenure, these squatters will no longer be squatters.

He says this means that these people will now build proper and permanent homes and they can now access funding from mainstream banks and other financial institutions to help them build their homes.

They will also have access to the government housing grant initiative.

252 people also received their $1,000 small business grants in Labasa today.

Bainimarama stresses that this is not a handout.

He says it is a grant that can only be used to purchase materials that people have identified as important to start or expand their small businesses. 

Bainimarama also opened the Labasa market extension which has 110 vegetable stall spaces, 50 handicraft stalls, 20 sleeping spaces for women and a training centre for 25 people.

The market project cost was $688,000 with $500,000 funded by the government and the balance by Labasa Town Council.

He says he is pleased that UN Women saw the economic and social value for the women of Vanua Levu and reimbursed the council for 50 percent of the cost.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama gives these squatters a new lease of life. [Photo: Fijian Government]