Cabinet approves relocation

ABOUT 37 families living in Nabavatu Village will now have new homes on a 16.88-acre piece of land in Nadoiviri after plans for their relocation were approved by Cabinet this week.

A post-Cabinet statement released yesterday said Nabavatu Village was critically affected by a geohazard event in January 2021 following Tropical Cyclone (TC) Ana.

Those inhabiting the area were left to shelter in tents, which raised pertinent questions about the security, health, and well-being of the residents.

It was confirmed relocation site was located about 800 metres Southwest of the current Nabavatu village site. The site in Nadoiviri belongs to the Mataqali Uluitoga and Mataqali Nalutu.

“The selection of the site was made after a series of consultations among key stakeholders, particularly Government, and members of the Nabavatu community,” the statement read.

“Geotechnical and topography surveys were carried out to ensure the new site is suitable and safe for the construction of new homes for the people of Nabavatu.

“The relocation project is the result of a whole-of-government approach and in compliance with the Planned Relocation Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Fiji. The total cost of the relocation project is approximately $5.9million.”

The Government has identified four crucial phases for the relocation project.

Phase one includes geotech and topography surveys, drainage works, site clearing, and road access.

The second phase will involve procurement of housing materials, construction and water reticulation, and grid connections. Phase three will conclude with the construction of footpaths and footbridges within the community.

These activities will be funded through the Climate Relocation of Communities (CROC) Trust Fund, and bilateral budget support facilitated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

The fourth will be the monitoring phase, which requires no funding.

A statement from the Cabinet confirmed the relocation project is estimated to be implemented in eight and a half months.

Picture: SOPHIE RALULU/FILE Children outside their make-shift homes at Nabavatu Village, Dreketi, Macuata. They will soon move to their new homes as endorsed by the Cabinet.