PM Gets A Squatter Committee Set Up
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has directed that a Committee on Squatter Housing (COSH) be formed to
coordinate assistance available from Government Donor Agencies (GDA) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO's) to
improve the housing and related conditions for squatters.
The Committee will comprise of PS Local Government, Urban Development and Housing (Chair), PS Lands, PS Prime Ministers
Office, CEO Housing Authority, CEO Public Rental Board, CEO Native Land Trust Board, Town Clerks of Suva City Council
and Nasinu Town Council and Coordinator ECREA.
Commodore Bainimarama said that the Interim Government believes our people deserve access to decent, sturdy and
affordable housing.
With our growing urban and periurban population, the demand for proper and affordable housing has never been higher, he
said.
Meanwhile, Government has earmarked $5 million in 2008 to upgrade squatter settlements.
Grants and subsidies to HART and the Public Rental Board in 2008 total $2 million.
Government is also seeking soft loan funding from People's Republic of China to improve the housing situation of
squatters throughout Fiji.
ENDS