Nabavatu Village Relocation to Start Soon, NZ helps with $1.8m Support
Rays of hope shone over the villagers of Nabavatu in Dreketi, Macuata, who had been living in tents for more than a year.
Plans to relocate the village to a new site is taking shape under the Nabavatu Relocation program which is undergoing its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for relocation report expected to be finalised this month.
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is responsible for the SOP report for Nabavatu.
The report is vital to enable the $1.8 million funding support from the New Zealand government.
This was revealed by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, who was on a tour of the Northern Division. “The geotech team from the Mineral Resources Department will move into these areas to conduct their investigations,” Mr Vosarogo said.
Since
Tropical
Cyclone Ana hit the village on January 31, 2021, to date 262 people have been living in tents at the Assemblies of God Church land after their village was declared a red zone by the previous government.
Mr Vosarogo said they would ensure that the relocation happened smoothly and timely.
He said once the funds were released, the money would be directed for the scoping process which included the geotech survey and assessment.
The tentative dates for the SOP issue is expected to be either on April 18 or 24.
The release of funds would enable the start of their first phase of identification and testing of the possible sites for development, Mr Vosarogo said.
He said despite his ministry’s small part in the project, they still played a critical role in the possible relocation site geographical assessment.
Assessment reports
Mr Vosarogo said recommendations would be submitted to Government and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development Disaster Management.
“We provide expert advice on the practicalities of the proposed site for relocation and stability for sustainability of the relocated villagers to the line ministry,” Mr Vosarogo said.
All possible relocation sites are owned by the Nabavatu villagers.
“We will carry out landfill to elevate the flat land and this was less burdensome compared to sites with natural springs present.” and