Squatters living in the outskirts of Fiji's towns and cities have asked the new government to regularise their status.
The calls, made at a public consulation in Nadi on the weekend, prompted the Lands and Mineral Resources Minister to reveal that a task force is working with the Ministry of Housing to prioritise the matter.
In 2012, Peoples Community Network figures showed 20 percent of Fiji's population live in squatter settlements.
The Minister, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, told squatters the issue is difficult as settlements are on state land as well as other categories of plots, but said the issue was a high priority for the government.
She says another consultation will take place in Labasa this Thursday.
