Strategic leadership in Fiji

With their limited revenue sources, slow growth of the national economy, and large amounts owing to the Councils in unpaid rates and fees, Fijian Councils are facing great difficulties in providing services to the large and growing squatter settlements. Moreover as little Council revenue is generated from these settlements initiatives are needed to reduce this burden on the Councils.

Research shows that Councils are displaying leadership in attempting to cope with the challenges of squatting. Realising that the squatters are “here to stay” and will not be moving back to the rural areas, the main concerns of the Councils are to make land, housing and public services available to the new urban dwellers and to help in providing employment opportunities. As most land in Fiji is under customary ownership, an important issue is how to make land available for housing within the custom system. Nasinu and Labasa Councils have taken initiatives to develop long-term leasehold arrangements with landowners for the development of alternative housing for squatters. This provides a win-win situation for the squatters, the Councils and the landowners: the squatters have secure tenure and will have pride in the ownership of their assets; the Councils will be providing services to rate paying households; and the landowners receive a market price for leasing their land.

Crown land is the other main source of land in urban areas that can be made available for permanent housing for squatters. Both Nasinu and Labasa Councils have collaborated with the National Government to make Crown land available for alternative housing for squatters.

The Councils are also taking the lead in supporting the well-being of those in squatter settlements beyond the provision of housing by focusing on employment and health and social problems. In relation to employment Nasinu Council is working with a businessman to develop a commercial area that should provide retail facilities for the townspeople as well as employment. Labasa Council is helping to foster cottage industries to provide employment in rural areas in the hope of slowing the rural-urban drift.

In respect of social and health problems in squatter settlements Nasinu Council is fostering community actions to assist police in the control of crime, and to assist other government authorities in the management of social problems such as prostitution and drug use. Labasa Council is taking measures to control the spread of typhoid within squatter settlements. As a result of these initiatives, the Town Councils believe that the national government is now looking at squatter problem more seriously and joint ventures are stemming from discussions held between them.

Source: Bibi 2006

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