THE Lands Ministry paid out $5.05 million in fair share of mineral royalties to 350 native and two freehold landowners in the past six months.
Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar made the comment during his ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday.
“Mataqali Naicobo of Nawailevu received $1.027m to their 203 members, Mataqali Naita of Votua Bua have receieved $23,203 for 80 members, Mataqali Serau of Nabiti, Dreketi, Macuata, have received $63,828 to 67 members, Nasomo Landowners Trust has received $393,950 for 123 members, Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd has received $3.551 million as a freeholder,” he said.
“Therefore, all land deposited in the Land Bank and later determined as a prospect site for mining will receive optimal returns.”
Mr Sudhakar said Government would ensure any landowning unit which deposited their land into the Land Bank would “reap the rewards handsomely”.
“One of the successful projects is the first premium, the land rent payment to Mataqali Volivoli of Ketei Village, Savusavu, for their 100 acres of land deposited in the Land Bank.
“The ministry on 23rd December 2019 presented a cheque of $115,700 to five of the 14 subsistence agriculture lots.
“The progressive payments for the remaining nine lots will be paid out as and when received. Each lot averages an area of six to eight acres for agriculture use.
“The premium payment ranging between $20,000 and $30,000 and yearly rental of about $1200 to $1800 a year.”
Mr Sudhakar also said since its inception in 2011, it had a total of 100 parcels of designated iTaukei land parcels of which 89 had been surveyed and the Land Use Unit had derived $11,206,531.93 in lease proceeds for 71 leases.
