The Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry owes $479,222.62 in mesne profit payments to landowners of the Nasarava Water Catchment lease area in Wailevu, Macuata.
Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo said the amount covered the period from 1951 to 2009.
“This was agreed upon following negotiations between the ministry and the Water Authority of Fiji,” he said.
Mr Vosarogo said WAF would be responsible for a separate mesne profit payment of $508,865.26 covering the period from 2010 to 2025.
“We can officially confirm that following a series of rigorous technical negotiations.”
While responding to queries from this newspaper, he said the ministry was aware of concerns raised by members of the landowning unit about the delayed payments.
“The payment component under the responsibility of the ministry is currently being processed in conjunction with the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
“This is not due to a withholding of funds but rather an ongoing verification and reconciliation process undertaken jointly by the ministry and WAF.”
He said the verification process was necessary to ensure payments were accurate and properly accounted for.
“The verification exercise is a standard accountability measure designed to safeguard the interests of all parties, including the landowners, and to ensure that public funds are disbursed correctly.”
He said the ministry was now awaiting an official invoice from the iTaukei Land Trust Board before payments could be finalised.
“Respective landowners will be formally advised through the appropriate channels when payments have been finalised.”
Following confirmation that payment arrangements were being finalised, the landowning unit decided not to proceed with plans to close the water source, a move that would have affected about 20,000 people.
Landowning unit spokesperson Osea Waqanivatu said they had received a phone call from TLTB on Monday advising that an invoice had been issued and forwarded to the ministry.
Mr Waqanivatu said TLTB had informed them that the payment process was expected to be completed before the end of June 2026.
He said the landowning unit had been advised to expect the payment by Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
