The Government is seriously considering rural development as one of its key priority areas under the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.
In a press release, the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Govind Sami says that the Integrated Rural Development Framework approved by Cabinet in September 2009 will greatly contribute towards rural development and hopefully discourage mass migration of families that contribute to the squatter population in the urban periphery.
“Through the Cottage Industry Initiatives and Poverty Alleviation Programmes, the Ministry has continued to empower rural dwellers,” he said.
In addition, the Acting Permanent Secretary has said that while the Ministry encourages empowerment of individuals with small scale income generating projects in rural areas, it will not be a party to any forced repatriation of people to rural areas to eradicate squatter settlements.
Highlighting active involvement with squatter communities, Mr Sami said that non government organisations including Fiji have been involved in the mobilisation of people and providing training and empower programmes for families living in squatter areas.
The Department of Social Welfare has also acknowledged and supported the initiative of the Fiji Council of Social Services in conducting a workshop with families from squatter settlements.