Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says perseverance and belief have paid off, as part of the land known as NG 187 was officially reverted to the original landowning units of Vitogo Village today.
Officiating at the land reversion ceremony, Rabuka reflected on the long journey leading to the milestone.
“However, here we are, at the end of the journey, still standing and still believing, that with perseverance nothing is impossible,” he said.
The Prime Minister said a Cabinet decision in 1999 approved the reversion of part of NG 187 to the original landowners, noting it was heartening to see descendants of those landowning units present in large numbers.
“On the same note, I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who have gone before us and who initiated and were part of this journey of a dream come true. May their souls rest in peace,” Rabuka said.
Cabinet Decision 1999 (9) approved the reversion on the basis that the land was no longer required for its original public purpose, while also identifying areas to remain in use. Rabuka said compensation approved by Cabinet was paid to landowners for the 25-acre extension of the Tavakubu Cemetery.
He added that administration of leased lands previously under the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Fiji Pine Commission, along with other active leases, will now be transferred to the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
“Now that the survey plan has been approved together with Cabinet approvals, the Gazette of the Legal Notice makes the return of the subject land official, after a period of 25 long years since Cabinet approval in 1999, and 102 years since the then Colonial Government acquired NG 187 from the original landowning units for public purpose,” Rabuka said.
