THE Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, is expected to meet today with representatives of the mataqali Nabukebuke and officials from the Namosi Joint Venture (NJV) following concerns raised by customary landowners over unresolved land matters and unpaid compensation.
Mr Vosarogo confirmed the meeting yesterday after members of Mataqali Nabukebuke voiced grievances regarding outstanding compensation allegedly owed by NJV. He said there should be optimism from both sides as efforts continue to resolve the issue.
“We need to be optimistic about these things, because one side we have the landowner’s genuine concerns and the other we have good investments, so the job of the ministry is to find a middle ground, strike a balance so the landowners can be accommodated,” Mr Vosarogo said.
Mataqali Nabukebuke spokesman and Nabukebuke Holdings director, Petero Saunivalu claimed that NJV had withheld payments totalling $75,000 since last year.
He also said the trust representing Mataqali Nabukebuke was seeking the eviction of NJV from the Waisoi Base Camp, alleging the company was occupying mataqali land without a valid licence issued by the Government of Fiji.
The trust also called on the director of mines to take immediate enforcement action, including steps against what it described as unlawful occupation.
“The special prospecting licence issued to Namosi Joint Venture has expired, yet operations continue without our consent,” Mr Saunivalu said.
“We are calling on the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to act without delay.”
Meanwhile, Namosi Joint Venture country manager Netava Bakaniceva confirmed during the meeting on Wednesday that the frozen compensation payment of $75,000 will be released to the trustees today.
