A family in Tailevu believes they have hit the ‘jackpot’ with the full utilisation of their five-acre land after the Government invested $2.89 million for residential leases.
Chief of Namata, Tailevu, Ratu Paula Halaiwalu and his family witnessed the commissioning of Nasoqeloa Subdivision Land development by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarma.
This included their land.
The Halaiwalu family decided more than 10 years ago that the piece of land given to them by the province should be put into good use.
This was after Ratu Paula became the Tui Namata in 2012..
It was mainly his children’s decision to make use of the land, especially when it was marketable. It is located just on the outskirts of Nausori – about a 10 minutes ride from Nausori Town.
The land now contains 15 residential lots, one commercial lot and an open space with underground cabling for Energy Fiji Limited and Telecommunications. The multi- million-dollar site has also been developed to global climate resilient standards.
The lots will be leased and about 52 people in the family are expected to benefit from it.
From Left: Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, and the Chief of Namata, Tailevu, Ratu Paula Halaiwalu. Photo: Josefa Babitu
Speaking on behalf of the family, the chief ’s eldest son, Jeremaia Halaiwalu, said patience was truly a virtue for them because the project has been in the pipeline for far too long.
“We had gotten all our documentation in 2013 and couldn’t get a loan too because of our financial status,” he said.
“In 2014, we can’t forget that year because it was the same year that the prime minister had introduced their manifesto and highlighted that they will put aside a $10 million grant to help in the development of iTaukei land.”
The family, he said, decided to come together and took the opportunity as an answer to their prayer.
The family applied after FijiFirst became Government and was eventually given the green light in 2017.
The ground breaking ceremony for the land took place in 2019.
“We thank God for the family and the provision given to us, for us to come to this stage. If we would have done it ourselves, we would not be here,” he said.
Mr Halaiwalu said there were many unforeseen circumstances the country endured since 2019, but it did not stop the Government from carrying on development works already in the pipeline.”
He said they have not determined how much each lot would cost because they were still waiting for the evaluation report.
Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj