The iTaukei Land Trust Board will look at legislation to empower landowners to conduct some development opportunities autonomously.
Ministry of iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary Pita Tagicakirewa said they would look at undertaking a strategic review of the TLTB, given the high number of iTaukei people living in poverty.
During the opening of the Great Council of Chiefs meeting last Tuesday, Methodist Church in Fiji leader Reverend Ili Vunisuwai highlighted that 75 per cent of people in poverty were iTaukei.
In response, Mr Tagicakirewa said they would look at legislation to empower the landowners on carrying out some developments on their own.
“Right now, the iTaukei Land Trust Act states that TLTB has control over native land,” he said.
“And also it can lease native land.
“So this would give some responsibility to the landowners in a way of economic empowerment so that they can do some of these economic activities on their own.
“However, TLTB will still be there to oversee everything.”
Meanwhile, Mr Tagicakirewa said the GCC regulation was gazetted last week by Cabinet. “Cabinet endorsed it for six months to accommodate the need for a special sitting of a GCC.
“The regulation that was presented last week will take us into September or October, so that gives ample time for the GCC to meet and discuss the report from the review committee.
“The review committee completes their work on July 31.
“And then, depending on the outcome of the review report, that will shape the legislation of the GCC and other recommendations that they have come up with.”
