MACUATA landowner Sairusi Degei is urging landowners to give a portion of their idle land to the Fiji Pine Group of Companies.
Mr Degei told this newspaper yesterday that landowners who do not have any economic activity being done on their land could use their land to grow pine.
“For those of us that have a lot of land, please let us make use of it,” he said.
“If it can’t be developed by other sectors, give it to the Fiji Pine Group of Companies.
“Because when you do it will really help your mataqali.”
The former military captain was one of the recipients of the $6million bonus payout from the Fiji Pine Group of Companies in Drasa, Lautoka.
He was appointed the representative of the Macuata landowners last year as part of the mataqali Natiko.
The Macuata landowners received a total of $375,427.13 from the $6m payout.
“We can give our land to plant pine because it will benefit us in return.
“It will help the education of our children, community development fund and the construction of water pipes in our villages.
“And also, Fiji Pine pays the lease twice in a year — $14 for one hectare — so in one year, the company pays their lease twice.
“There are ways in which the company can help us — the landowners and it is the company for us the iTaukei.”
