From this month, traditional clan leaders will receive seven per cent of the income from land leases, says iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu.
“Tribal leaders will get five per cent,” he said.
Mr Vasu said village standards had declined over the years because traditional leaders did not have any funds for development.
He said some clan members around Fiji took their lease money and did not contribute to the vanua or village development.
Mr Vasu said the system of equal distribution of land lease rentals was not helping those leading the vanua.
“Most people don’t bother about the vanua after they receive their shares.
“They take their shares and leave the responsibilities of the vanua to the leaders.”
Mr Vasu said most traditional leaders had advised him that the equal distribution system was not helping the situation.
“When we visited villages in the past, the houses were well-built and painted.
“They were able to do this through the old lease distribution policy.”
