THE Government must return wealth generated from Fiji’s wealthiest province directly to its traditional landowners to tackle growing poverty, public consultations on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 have heard.
Speaking at the Nadi Civic Centre, Marika Lewaqai urged officials to address the economic disparity facing the people of Ba, highlighting their decades of contribution through major national assets.
“The Province of Ba is the biggest province in Fiji, we contribute a lot to the economy,”he said.
Mr Lewaqai said key revenue drivers housed within the province, including international tourism, gold mining, and Nadi International Airport.
Despite these resources driving national prosperity, Mr Lewaqai expressed frustration that local communities continue to miss out on the financial benefits.
“We hear about the story going on, the imbalance, our brothers here they gain a lot, 50 or so years we given our land.”
Mr Lewaqai cited the development of major tourist hubs where river rocks belonging to traditional leaders laid the foundation for prosperity while local communities remained impoverished.
“It’s about time to return the wealth, especially to the province of Ba or the itaukei ni qele of Ba so we can erase this stigma.”
Addressing proposed constitutional changes, Mr Lewaqai also recommended retaining Christianity in the national document.
“One of the fruits of the spirit is patience, we have been patient for so long.”
