THE government is expected to make an announcement today about reports of Kiribati moving its people to Fiji amid revelations that a church group is selling fertile land on the mainland to the tune of $9.6 million.
Government's Information permanent secretary Sharon Smith-Johns said a response from government over the matter could be expected later this afternoon.
While attempts to reach permanent secretary for Lands Filimone Kau proved futile, ABC News reported the leaders of Kiribati were considering an unusual backup plan - moving the populace to Fiji in the face of growing fears over climate change wiping out the archipelago.
"We're trying to secure the future of our people," he said.
"The international community needs to be addressing this problem more," Kiribati president Anote Tong said on ABC News.
According to ABC News, Mr Tong told The Associated Press his Cabinet endorsed a plan to buy nearly 6000 acres on Fiji's main island Viti Levu.
He said the fertile land, being sold by a church group for about $9.6 million, could provide an insurance policy for Kiribati's entire population of 103,000, though he hopes it will never be necessary for everyone to leave.