13 out of the 14 villages on Koro Island considered to relocate

13 out of the 14 villages on Koro Island have considered to relocate to high ground after Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Many of the houses are located near the coastline and heavy waves come into the village areas during major storm surges.

Permanent Secretary for ITaukei Affairs Naipote Katonitabua said most of the villages on coastal areas around Fiji have indicated that they wish to be relocated.

Katonitabua said if a village wishes to relocate, they need to write to the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs to register their interest for relocation.

He added that in Koro, 11 out of the 13 villages have completed the process of relocation, which was sworn under oath.

Katonitabua added that most of the coastal villages that were hit by Cyclone Winston were approached by the government in the past 3 years to extend their village boundaries to higher grounds and unfortunately many refused.

He said those that agreed to extend their village boundaries did not actually relocate until they felt the full brunt of Cyclone Winston.

Katonitabua said if villages do not relocate now, the government will still help as it is one of the core responsibilities of the state to provide safe and secure homes for its people based on equality for all and less fortunate which is under Chapter two of the Constitution.

He added that a composite team from Itaukei Affairs, Lands and Department Mineral Resources, Health, Water and FRA has visited 63 villages for the Tropical Cyclone Winston Village Relocation Programme with only 48 villages recommended by the NDMO.

From the 48 villages, 13 villages were from Koro Island, 11 from Tailevu North, 7 from Ra and Ovalau, 5 from Vanuabalavu, 4 from Cakaudrove and 1 from Batiki Island.

Katonitabua said their team have completed 36 villages relocation procedures by undertaking landowners to swear under oath for the new village boundaries.

He added that the pending 27 villages will await further advice from the respective Provincial Councils after the landowners of 25 villages officially present their consent and 2 villages will await the Ministry of Lands advice since the recommended new village sites are freehold land.