Members of the Nadakuvatu landowning unit of Saru Village in Lautoka are yet to receive word from the Ministry of Lands about the reversion of their land to a native lease.
Their land, on which the Tavakubu Cemetery and Fiji Sugar Corporation reservoir are located, was part of 3177 acres the Government said would be returned to five landowning units from Saru, Namoli, and Vitogo.
Their spokesperson Jiuta Vuda said they did not expect to be waiting months after the announcement was made in February.
“We’ve been waiting since 1999 for this,” said Mr Vuda.
“How long do we have to wait until something is done?
“Our father and grandfather were fighting for this land to be returned to the landowners for a very long time.
“And then this year, we finally found some hope.
“But again, we are still waiting.”
Mr Vuda said he was worried they would wait a few more years before seeing any real change.
“We were told in 1999 that a Cabinet paper was done for this land to be returned to us.
“The same happened this year. Will we see it finally happen, or are we going to be waiting again?”
His kinsman Nadakuvatu Samuela Nakobakoba said the landowners had not benefitted from their land since it was sold to the State in 1924.
“Lautoka was growing, and our forefathers saw the need for land to be used by the government of that time,” he said.
“So they agreed to give their land for a price. Since then, Lautoka has become a city, but the landowners were forgotten.”
In response to the concerns, Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo said he had clarified the process being undertaken by the ministry at the Ba Provincial Council meeting in Nacula, Yasawa, last week.
“They can see me if they want clarity of the process,” said Mr Vosarogo.
During the council meeting, Mr Vosarogo highlighted major reforms and initiatives in place to empower the iTaukei community, which included the reduction of crown land lease poundage from 10 per cent to eight per cent to ease financial burdens, and Cabinet’s approval of a review of the Crown Lands Act 1945.
“The State does not wish to claim ownership of minerals,” he said.
“Instead, the Government wants to ensure that landowners receive a fairer share of the wealth generated from their land and resources.”
