THE iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) has approved 2834 new leases covering 14,929 hectares and generating $1.95million in annual rent and $49.08million in lease premiums.
iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu told Parliament lease arrears have been reduced by 30 per cent.
“In 2024-2025 financial year, the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission (TLFC) successfully surveyed 16 land parcels in Serua, Ba and Kadavu and mapped 129 villages across Kadavu, Rewa and Southern Lau,” Mr Vasu said.
He said it completed 38 confirmations of iTaukei land ownership the Register of Native Land (RNL) issued and commenced mahogany lease surveys in Vanua Levu.
“The iTLTB targets 2,500 new lease approvals and $171.94 million in revenue, with a 60 per cent arrears reduction goal.
“The Committee on Better Utilisation of Land (CBUL) rental subsidies will receive $6.9 million through the Ministry of Agriculture.”
Mr Vasu said the iTaukei Resource Owners Support and Development Fund had been allocated $3million to support over 60 business projects through interest subsidies and technical oversight via a new Project Management Unit.
“We will fund preservation, dispute resolution and land surveying under the TLFC, including a $510,000 for a mahogany plantation survey in the Northern Division.
“Cultural revitalisation continues with a $45,000 investment in training programs and support for the Traditional Knowledge Database and Volavosa Dictionary Review.”
He said the TLFC had achieved 1,438 chiefly titles confirmations and surpassed targets in records preservation and digitisation.
