THE Eco Challenge 2019, deemed as an ‘Olympic of Adventures’ is scheduled to be held in Fiji starting from Monday September 9, 2019 with the full support of the landowners.
Dubbed as the toughest outdoor multi-sport endurance race on the planet, the route will run through seven (7) provinces in Fiji including Ba, Lomaiviti, Nadroga/Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Serua, and Tailevu; crossing the borders of about 120 villages and a total distance of 674 kilometers.
This week, the Head Executive of Thirteen Enterprises Mr Tony Patterson presented $1.2 million cheque which allows for the issuance of the filming license.
CEO Mr Tevita Kuruvakadua said this was a huge project and TLTB’s role in this exercise was to make sure that the landowners were duly compensated for the use of their land.
“Our role was to confirm the landowning units that will be affected by the race and negotiating fair compensations for them. And we are glad that our consultation teams have been received with a lot of enthusiasm and optimism from the landowners,” he said.
A special joint task force was also formed to assist in the quick facilitation of all the relevant processes and approvals led by the Prime Minister’s Office and include Film Fiji, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Immigration Department, Fiji Revenue & Custom Services, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Military Forces, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development, Fiji Roads Authority, Department of Environment, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and TLTB.
Negotiating on the landowners’ behalf, the Board had included village infrastructural funds, as well as the Board’s processing costs, totaling to an approximate value of $1.2 million.
TLTB is grateful that the filming company who has chosen Fiji once again to host the global expedition race after more than 16 years since it was first held in 2002. Out of the 30 countries, Fiji was selected for its varying and difficult terrain, beautiful natural environment, its tropical climate, safety of its wild forests and the hospitable nature of the landowners.
To be produced by MGM Television the ten episode TV series will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and is expected to be aired in over 200 countries worldwide.
Though the race will take only two weeks, the contribution to Fiji’s economy and is an avenue where itaukei land can be showcased to the rest of the world and creating more investment opportunities for the future.
Ends.