He said that although this is a lease issued 52 years ago, the annual lease payment has been reviewed from $2,643 previously to the current annual rate of $120,000. The issue of compensation claimed by the landowners need to be clarified further with the Ministry of Lands.

As of now we do not know what were the landowners’ intention in creating such a scene that was broadcasted live through a Facebook chat group since last Sunday claiming that TLTB is taking over their land without their consent.

Yesterday, Saturday 6^th April, TLTB staff undertook their first tree planting exercise for the year. The program includes revisiting their dedicated TLTB Native Tree Reserve areas to clean, replace trees that have died and the planting of more new trees. Teams were also involved in the potting and transplanting of new plants including uprooting of wild mahogany shoots for replanting in other parts of Fiji through the Ministry of Forestry program.

TLTB has been notified through its whistleblowing hotline that an individual by the name of Sheik Naseem has attempted to  sell some residential and commercial lots along the Nadi Back Road.

Taukei Land Trust Board CEO Mr Tevita Kuruvakadua said claims that the landowners were not consulted in process of issuing these leases were totally false.

The CBUL rent subsidy remains a vital incentive for the landowners to lease our idle land and allow lease renewal for agricultural purposes.
 

A consequential amendment was also proposed to the Higher Salaries Act to include the Board as one of the bodies for which the salary and benefits of its Chief Executive Officer are subject to sections of the Higher Salaries Act.

If any member of the public has any information of or has come into contact with “Zameer” please report this to the FICAC Office immediately.

“I think this is something bright for the landowners future and we are thankful for the support from Government as well as FNPF.” CEO Mr Tevita Kuruvakadua.

TLTB recognises with appreciation the assistance by Government to tenants who have been victims of natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, earthquakes and heavy rainfall causing severe landslides and floods are increasing in frequency and intensity that have devastated small islands nation’s economy and livelihoods of its people including Fiji.