Without Ratu Sukuna, the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) would not be in existence.
This was the message highlighted by TLTB manager strategic planning Reijeli Taylor.
She said this was a little known fact.
Speaking during the unveiling of Ratu Sukuna’s monument statue in front of the TLTB head office in Suva, she said Ratu Sukuna was a very significant part of TLTB, especially in terms of the establishment of the organisation and in terms of the iTaukei people and land management.
“For us, the unveiling marks a very significant event because over the past 16 years, we really haven’t been able to come out and celebrate the life of Ratu Sukuna.
“But although Ratu Sukuna wasn’t recognised, we still had celebrations within the organisation.”
Ms Taylor said the monument was funded by the board.
“One of the objectives for our committee this year was how we could bring back the Ratu Sukuna statue and put it in the front.
“It used to be in the corner of the office over the past years, then it was put in the front and then they moved it everywhere else.
“This sort of lost the significance of people understanding why TLTB exists.”
The statue was unveiled by the Roko Tui Suva, Ratu Sanaila Mudunavosa.
“When we heard that the Tui Suva was in the country, we had to quickly rush and ask for permission to have the statue placed in the front of the office.
“We are grateful that he was happy to give us the green light.”
The TLTB looks after 91 per cent of land in Fiji.
