LANDOWNERS need to play an active role in the utilisation of their land, said Minister for Public Works, Meteorology and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
In an address during an MOU signing between the Fiji National Provident Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Nakovacake Development Trust, for a large-scale tourism development at Nasaulevu in Nadi, Ro Filipe said the Government had a specific objective to ensure landowners are not only passive in terms of the utilisation of the land but also as an active economic participant.
“It is a significant day for all of us, especially in terms of involving and engaging the community,” he said.
“The Government stands ready to assist landowners in terms of their economic participation.”
Ro Filipe congratulated the trust and emphasised the importance of good governance and transparency.
Nakovacake Development Trust chairman Commander-Joint Task Force Brigadier-General Manoa Gadai told the signing ceremony in Nadi yesterday that it marked a significant milestone, not just for our local communities, but for Fiji and the broader region.
Brig-Gen Gadai said for the first time, the FNPF and the ADB had come together in a collaborative venture of this magnitude.
“This partnership promises to bring substantial development and opportunities to our beloved nation.
“This MOU is not merely a business agreement, it symbolises the beginning of a transformative journey for us — the vanua o Nakovacake.”
He said the development of Nasaulevu, located directly opposite the Port Denarau Marina, would not only elevate the tourism sector but would also bring benefits to the communities involved.
“This marks the beginning of a journey to return to the land where our ancestors first settled, a place called Nasaulevu that holds the roots of our existence,” Brig-Gen Gadai said.
