THE Nasomo Landowning Unit Trust is the rightful owner of Tovatova, the land in Vatukoula from which they receive mineral royalties. Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar cleared the air during the mineral royalty fair share payout yesterday.
He said he had received many calls and queries regarding the land ownership.
“For the past few weeks and months, I have received a lot of queries from some people who were saying that royalties should not be given to the people of Nasomo as they were not the rightful owners of the land,” he said.
“All of your ancestors worked for the mine and your ancestors bought the land from TLTB (iTaukei Land Trust Board) and the land was transferred to you.
“Rightfully, you are the owners of this land.”
The Lands Minister said reports had been lodged at the Tavua Police Station regarding the land and after a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that the 1062 hectares of freehold land was bought from the TLTB by the people of Nasomo.
He said the freehold land belonged to a John Berry who sold it to the Colonial Sugar Refinery.
The CSR later transferred it to Government before the Nasomo people’s forefathers bought the land from TLTB.
