The Great Council of Chiefs review team noted a growing dissatisfaction with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) and that it was “out of touch” and disconnected from many landowning units.
The review team stated it received submissions that the TLTB needed to be more transparent.
“Some submissions went as far as saying that corruption was known to exist in the organisation, although specific examples or evidence were not provided to the Review Team,” states the report.
“There were calls for more innovative and more flexible arrangements that would allow landowners to manage and control the leasing or usage of their own lands independent of the TLTB.
“Others hinted at the need for the TLTB to be reminded that it was a statutory “trustee” in whom was vested a sacred trust.
“Some expressed a tacit view that the TLTB needed to be more “accountable” and that landowners should be consulted occasionally, particularly regarding the issuance of new leases and renewals.
“There was a real sense from many respondents that the TLTB failed to meet its legal and fiduciary obligation to act in the landowners’ best interests as required by section 4 of the TLTB Act.”
The review said another overwhelming request from the consultations was to examine (TLTB) policies and processes regarding leases for commercial investment purposes.
“Participants openly shared disappointment about TLTB and questioned their commitment to their role as ‘trustee’. A majority of the participants were of the view that the TLTB policies, conditions and practices do not safeguard and promote the rights and interest of the resource owners, giving preference to lessees.”
