McNeil: FTEs were already offered to the flash flood victims at April Valley

By Taromane Martin

The Commissioner of Lands Alan McNeil has clarified that the Land board has already offered Fixed Term Estates (FTEs) to the victims of the 2014 flash flooding who are relocated to April Valley in East Honiara.

McNeil clarified after the April Valley Task Force Committee claimed that the victims want authorities to settle the lands allocated to them.

They want to dialogue with the Ministry of Lands to offer FTEs as development starts creeping into the resettlement area.

But McNeil confirmed that the Land Board and his office had already visited and held talks with the community about the process of getting the FTEs.

“Yes, we visited the area very soon after the flood in 2014 and we went house to house to explain the land tender process at that time.

“I don’t understand what the issue is. Offers of Fixed Term Estates were given to the flood victims, and most of them have paid their offers.

“I don’t know what dialogue is requested or needed.

“Anyone who has an offer of Fixed Term Estate can come and visit the Urban Unit at the Ministry of Lands to pay their offer and get their Fixed Term Estate registered, just like all areas of Honiara and the rest of the country,” Commissioner McNeil explained.

Back in October of 2014, then Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Stanley Waleanisia had announced that a total of 268 lots were offered as 50-year fixed-term estates which are to be developed for residential purposes, at that site.

The 2014 Honiara Flash floods on April 3rd meanwhile affected 10 percent of the country’s population- most in the capital Honiara and surrounding plains in Guadalcanal Province.

The April Flash Floods left more than 50,000 people homeless, killing more than 20 people in its aftermath. 

[end]