A majority of land collectively owned in the vanua remains underutilised, President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu told Parliament on Monday, calling for unity and strategic action to unlock its full potential.
Addressing members of Parliament on Monday, he stressed that landowners and stakeholders shared a responsibility to ensure resources were put to productive and sustainable use.
“There is a shared obligation to ensure that these resources are activated productively, sustainably and in ways of honest custodianship, the generational equity and promote long term resilience,” Ratu Naiqama said.
“Government, therefore, calls upon the landowners and institutions and communities to act in unity, aligning resource use with practical and inclusive development priorities, strategic engagements in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, housing and the energy industries, will be essential to generating livelihoods, strengthening food and energy security and expanding economic opportunity.”
He emphasised that meaningful progress would require strong partnerships built on transparency and trust.
“Progress will depend on the collaborations among landowners, government and the private sector and the government partners grounded in transparency, trust, they shared long term vision.”
Drawing on iTaukei values, the President highlighted the concept of leadership needed at this point in time.
“The iTaukei concept of ‘sa i doko ni karikari’ captures the leadership required at this juncture.
“It calls for vision, responsibility and unity, rooted in traditional authority, yet responsive to contemporary realities.”
He said traditional leaders must take a proactive role in guiding development while safeguarding culture and identity.
“Traditional Leaders must play a leading role in setting a clear and forward looking direction, mobilizing communities, fostering innovation and ensuring that land and the sea resources are utilized with purpose, while safeguarding culture and identity.”
The President urged iTaukei institutions not to delay in seizing development opportunities.
“Through principle leadership and strategic partnerships, iTaukei institutions must ensure that this opportunity is not delayed.
“When aligned with national priorities, land and resource use becomes the foundation for resilience, dignity and shared prosperity.”
