THE iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) was not involved in the compensation payout of $52.8million from Energy Fiji Ltd to the Monasavu Hydro Dam landowners.
While clarifying their position over the issue that has reemerged over the past few months from concerned landowners, a TLTB statement revealed that the payout was primarily discussed between the State, EFL, and the landowners through their lawyer, Sireli Fa.
“The compulsory acquisition of the dam site, tunnel site, switch yard, and power site areas was lawfully executed by the State in lieu of consideration paid,” a TLTB statement said.
“Compensation was paid and part invested with TLTB, and dividends were paid.
“TLTB wishes to point out that the compensation payment of $52.8m was administered by Fa & Co, who are the lawyers of the Monasavu landowners.
“On its part, TLTB issued a lease to the then FEA in 2006 with a total lease offer of $1.5m.
“TLTB also levied $7m to FEA as mesne profit on the utilisation of the resources without proper lease and compensation for trees of commercial value within the water catchment lease, a sum of $3.7m.”
The board outlined the history of the discussions for compensation, which began in the early 1990s.
“Given the gravity of the landowners’ grievance and the importance of the Monasavu hydro plant to the nation’s development, the (then) government set up a task force to carry out a valuation of the compensation claim and to also suggest leasing the catchment area to FEA.
“An initial compensation offer of more than $14.6m (to be incorporated into a lease offer) was approved by Cabinet and made to the landowners at a meeting at Tradewinds Convention Centre.
“However, some mataqali did not agree and walked out of the meeting.
“These dissenting mataqali then filed legal proceedings, being HBC 576/1998 against the attorney-general, the NLTB and the FEA as defendants.
“They claimed the sum of $38m and obtained an injunction against TLTB from proceeding with the lease offer.”
Following a second meeting in August 2000, the parties finally agreed to a $52.8m payment.
“This offer was finally agreed to by the landowners with a Joint Statement of Understanding being signed.”
