Members of the Tokatoka Nahau of Tau Village in Nadroga have refuted claims by Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance president Sitiveni Nawaqa about the 20-year-old Momi land swap deal.
Tokatoka Nahau representative Viliame Tiritiri said Mr Nawaqa did not represent the landowning unit in any discussions regarding their land.
“The Tokatoka Nahau is not affiliated with Sitiveni Leseitoga Nawaqa, his company VITA and the vanua Nalolo,” he said.
“Any information regarding Tokatoka Nahau stated by Sitiveni Leseitoga Nawaqa is misleading and at no time have we liaised or engaged his service.”
He said any information regarding Tokatoka Nahau and the land in question, would be given by him on behalf of the tokatoka under the approval of the head of the tokatoka Sokonaia Rogose.
Meanwhile, in response to the concerns by the landowners, Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo said the coalition had committed to engaging in dialogue with the landowners.
“The Coalition Government acknowledges the ongoing concerns raised by the traditional landowners of Momi Bay regarding the 2005 land swap associated with the Marriott Hotel development,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“It was subsequently formalised through the Momi Bay Development law in 2010, albeit, by Decree.
“This matter has since become politicised, with the previous FijiFirst Government using it to criticise the decision taken by the Qarase-led Government.
“Our Coalition Government has inherited this complex issue and is determined to approach it with fairness, transparency, and respect for all parties involved.”
