Sitting tenants of the now defunct 999-year leases in Toko, Tavua, have expressed concern over discussions of compensation for the landowners.

Toko tenants representative Satish Chandra said he was concerned that the burden of most of the payment would fall on the tenants.

“The amount that we are seeing in the media is $200million,” said Mr Chandra.

“Where are we going to get that kind of money from?

“What will happen to us if we can’t pay the new land rent?”

Mr Chandra said most of the residents were very concerned because they could lose their land.

“We have lived on this land for more than 20 or 30 years.

“We have lived here all our lives. This is our home.

“As far as we know, from the time our parents started staying on that land, there was no involvement of a mataqali with that land.

“We were only dealing with the landlord and paying our land rent to them.

“We believe from the time when the lease was given, it was approved by the board at that time. To us this is still a legal document.”

Mr Chandra said they would not be able to pay an increased amount.

In a public notice on January 18, the TLTB exercised its powers to surrender the leases for a total of 701 acres of land belonging to the Navusabalavu and Tilivasewa landowning units, which were initially leased to Eva Annie Easton and Harold James Thomas by the then Commissioner of Lands in 1907.

“The lessees partially surrendered two lots from the lease on 31 July, 1937, and subdivided the balance area between August 29, 1941, and October 27, 1944,” the notice said.

“Upon their demise, the head-lease was transferred to the board on 12 May, 1970.

“Therefore, in exercise of its powers as the Head Lessee, the Board will be surrendering the said Toko lease and facilitate the issuance of new leases to those tenants and occupants.”