RESIDENTS along Visama Feeder Road affected by the extension of Nausori Airport will need to move their houses by the end of this year.
Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) said it would compensate anyone who needed to be moved.
"The first phase of development works will cost about $F24 million and that includes compensation or allowances to be paid out," AFL chief executive Tony Gollins said.
"The main focus of the first phase is safety because we have been blacklisted by the International Pilots Association and we are focusing on meeting their requirements."
He said development works were expected to start by mid December.
"We will be offering compensation to anyone who needs to be moved," he said.
Vrija Nand Sharma, who has lived beside the airport for most of his life, said they deserved good compensation for their house and farm.
"They (AFL) have not given us any written notice but some officers have informed us that we will need to move by November," Mr Sharma said.
He said they needed something in writing because a lot of work was required to find another site for his family.
Another resident, Phul Mati, said they were sad because their ancestors had lived there for the past 75 years.
"Some officers came and told us that we will need to move before the first stage of development works at the airport," Ms Mati said.
Sujend Prasad, who will also be affected, said officers from the iTaukei Lands Trust Board told them last month to move their houses by November.
"The officers said they will give us money for our land and they will not compensate for the damage to the house.
People whose leases have expired will be compensated for their houses and farms, but those with leases will be compensated for land only," Mr Prasad said.
Alipate Qetaki general manager iTaukei Lands Trust Board said they did not inform anyone to move.
"According to TLTB's regional manager central in charge of the area, TLTB was not involved at all in informing or giving notice to residents and tenants to move," Mr Qetaki said in an email.
"TLTB is aware that officers from the Lands Department are conducting valuations in the areas you had mentioned (Veisama Feeder Road) and those officers may have been talking to residents and tenants."
Residents said about 15 families were informed that they will need to vacate their houses.
However, Permanent Secretary for Lands & Mineral Resources Tevita Boseiwaqa said total number of leased properties affected was four "meaning four families will need to move their houses".
Mr Boseiwaqa confirmed that officers of the Department of Lands & Surveys have been visiting only those residents affected by the Nausori Airport Extension, to negotiate the acquisition of their land.
"The affected residents will be compensated, through negotiation in one of two ways, either they accept the monetary compensation or elect to be re-located to land which is similar to the land acquired for the airport extension," Mr Boseiwaqa said.
"The above 4 leases would need to vacate their houses by the end of this year, 2012 (and) the balance of the land required for Stage 1 is unleased itaukei land for which negotiations are still continuing," he said.