Sixteen households in Veiquwawa Settlement within the Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd (VGML) boundary will soon be relocated to allow for development at the site.
The move to a portion of land set aside by the Lands Ministry comes in the wake of a meeting between ministry officials and VGML that was conducted earlier this month.
Lands Minister Jone Usamate said the former employees and their descendants had been occupying Veiquwawa for the past 20 years.
“The company now intends to develop the site but need to relocate the squatters first,” he said.
“The ministry has subdivided a State land at Nasivi, Vatukoula, which is currently occupied by some sitting occupants to regularise their occupation and the vacant lots will be reserved for relocation of the 16 families from Veiquwawa.”
Mr Usamate said a final survey of the number of families to be relocated would be carried out before the relocation. “Sixteen households have been identified by VGML.
“However, they will have to do a final inspection to confirm the numbers of those willing to move to Nasivi subdivision and those who prefer to be compensated for relocation elsewhere.”
Mr Usamate said the subdivision plan for Nasivi had been approved.
“Regular meetings have been conducted between the ministry and the company.
“The resolution of the meeting was to relocate the squatters to Nasivi when the subdivision plan is approved.
“Since the subdivision plan is approved, VGML will have to finalise their listing of squatters to be relocated and the company will decide on some of the ways they will assist in their relocation.”
