Government does not condone a handout mentality but encourages recipients of poverty alleviation assistance to develop their livelihood and become financially independent.
The reminder from the Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Colonel Samuela Saumatua was made at a ceremony that marked the issuance of lease document to 29 residents of Vatoa settlement at Narere.
It also spells the Government’s desire to work in partnership with the people to alleviate poverty.
“Government does not support a handout mentality so it is absolutely essential that you look within yourselves to see how you can continue to pool your resources and improve the way you work together as a community to gain greater prosperity in the future,” he said.
“It has brought you this far and it can take you further as a highly successful community.
“Together we have provided peace of mind to some families but there are still many out there that are still facing challenges.
“This government is determined to help but we must all contribute our fair share.
“The Government does not have spoon feeding policy.
“Housing is a business which belongs to us all.”
The Vatoa Squatter Upgrading Subdivision covers a total land area of 1.4265 hectares of state land; Residential D zoned land which has basic infrastructures like roads, electricity, telephone, sewerage, drainage and fire hydrants.
Government invested more than $4m over eight years to develop the area.
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