Veterans of the Christmas Island nuclear tests known as Operation Grapple can expect their one-off payment soon.
Minister of Defence, Timoci Natuva said funds allocated this year is a one off payment as medical assistance in recognition of the various illness veterans had suffered over the years since 1960.
Natuva said the disbursement process was initiated through the formation of a Task Force comprising of officials from his Ministry, the Ministry of Employment, the Nuclear Veterans Association and the RFMF.
Priority of payments will be to the surviving veterans followed by direct dependents.
Natuva said this payment is to help compensate 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.
Meanwhile the 2015 budget had allocated $2.95 million to the Ministry for this purpose.
