THE 999-year lease tenants of Toko, Tavua, will legally challenge the iTaukei Lands Trust Board notice to surrender their documents in exchange for a new 99-year agreement.

Tenants’ spokesperson Satish Chandra said they had sought legal advice to challenge the January 18 notice which is due to expire on February 18.

“As far as we are concerned, the existing lease we have is legal,” said Mr Chandra.

“Why should we surrender it when it has the TLTB stamp on it and every person that has the same legal document.

“This is why we are working with our lawyers to challenge this.

“They gave us until February 18, but no tenant has surrendered their lease.

“We have advised them not to surrender their leases because we want to challenge it in court.”

Mr Chandra added each tenant had also clear conditions about their lease payments.

“The amount we are paying is in our lease agreement. If they want to talk about the annual payments we are making, we can talk about it, but it must go according to the current lease.

“We don’t want to disrespect anyone, especially the landowners, but right now what we have are legal documents with clear terms and conditions.”

According to the TLTB, the 30-day notice has been extended for another month.

Questions sent to TLTB general manager Solomoni Nata on the concerns raised by the tenants remain unanswered.

Questions on the issue of compensation raised with Finance Minister Biman Prasad also remain unanswered.