A proposed survey to determine the land boundaries associated with Lakeba Airstrip has been put on hold following concerns raised by one of two adjacent landowning units.
Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu told Parliament last Friday that the airstrip was situated on unsurveyed iTaukei land and that consultations were continuing with the landowning units.
Responding to a question from Opposition MP Jone Usamate on the ownership status of the land, Mr Vasu said a request for a proper survey had been received from one of the two adjacent landowning units.
“In August this year, the Chairman of the iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission visited Lakeba and consulted both landowning units on the matter,” Mr Vasu said.
However, he said the second landowning unit requested that the survey be suspended to allow its members more time to understand the process and its implications.
“The Commission will continue engaging with the landowning units to address their concerns and facilitate the survey.”
Mr Vasu stressed that customary land ownership matters were best resolved through discussions at the traditional community level.
“These issues are always better discussed at the vanua level, regarding the customary land ownership, in consultation with the Office of the Chairman of iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission,” he said.
He reiterated that the Government would continue to facilitate consultations through the Commission before proceeding with the survey.
No timeline was provided for when the survey would resume.
