BUA landowners want the Government to relinquish ownership of mineral resources beneath their land and return control to them, with the State limited to ensuring development is transparent.
Mata ni tikina o Bua Apolosi Tuivanua made the demand during a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at Kilaka, Bua, on Monday.
Mr Tuivanua, from Kubulau, told the Parliamentary Special Committee that constitutional reform should address landowners’ rights over natural resources found on and beneath their land.
“I request that the ownership of the natural resources and minerals in our land be returned to us, the landowners,” Mr Tuivanua said.
He said landowners understood that their ownership extended only six feet below the ground, while resources below that depth belonged to the Government.
“We request that ownership be given back to us and that the Government only assist us in making sure the development is transparent.”
Mr Tuivanua said he supported the need to change the Constitution, placing resource ownership among the issues he wanted addressed through the proposed amendments. Another Bua resident, Waisale Bukatavo, of Kilaka, also expressed support for amending the 2013 Constitution.
“I thank you all for thinking of Bua and coming here today to hear the voice of the people of Bua. I support the 2013 Constitution to be removed.”
The submissions were presented in iTaukei.
