IF traditional landowners fail to reach an agreement with Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) and iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), the Nadarivatu hydro dam, a critical water resource for the country, will be forced to close.
This was the statement conveyed by Lewa Village representative Ratu Tevita Ramasei regarding landowners’ grievances not being met.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, he claimed landowners were being paid less for the use of their land and resources.
“Give the landowners what is promised to them,” Ratu Ramasei said.
“If negotiations between EFL and TLTB do not reach a conclusion with us the landowners, then we will close the dam.”
Ratu Ramasei said the villagers were not happy with the lack of communication from TLTB, EFL and the Government.
He said earlier this month, they had met with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary Pita Tagicakirewa to discuss the “affairs of their land”.
He said no representative from EFL and TLTB was present.
A second meeting will commence tomorrow and will include members of EFL, TLTB and landowners and will be held at Lewa Village, Nadarivatu at 2pm.
“We request the Government to look into this issue, we are not happy.”
Ratu Ramasei said one of the issues on the agenda tomorrow would include villagers not receiving their lease payments.
He claimed they were not aware of an automatic roll over of lease from two years development lease to 99 years done by the previous government.
No comments could be obtained from Mr Tagicakirewa when this edition went to press.
