On September 2, 1996, The Fiji Times reported that a group of squatters at Nasinu were seeking help from the then government to buy the land on which they had been living on for over 20 years.
The 26 families were issued notices to vacate the land by the owners, Nasinu Land Purchase Housing Cooperative Society Ltd.
The families, who had been occupying the land for almost 28 years, were served with their notices on June 27 that year.
Former spokesman William Rosa said he had written to the office of the prime minister and had requested for government’s assistance.
“The co-operative wants to subdivide the land and sell it for about $22,000 an acre so we are asking government to try and negotiate with them and give the squatters first chance to buy the land they are currently living,” Mr Rosa said.
“These families are poor, but are still willing to pay off the land in payments.”
Mr Rosa suggested in the letter that the squatters would pay a deposit of $100 and a monthly payment of $30 to be paid to the co-operative.
Former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka said that the government was committed to helping squatters, but had to act within the laws and policies of the organisations concerned.
No comment was obtained from the Nasinu Land Purchase Housing Co-operative Society Ltd.
