TWO of the largest landowning units in the Vanua o Vuda are at loggerheads over the proposed waste-to-energy project spearheaded by The Next Generation Fiji Pte Ltd.
Long-time opposers of the proposed project, the Tokatoka o Wadigi of Lauwaki Village, encountered resistance from senior members of the Tokatoka o Nakelo during a public consultation in Viseisei Village over the weekend.
In an interview, Taukei Nakelo Josaia Natakele said they did not agree with the stand taken by certain members of the Wadigi clan who were able to acquire the Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Tavaiqia’s signature on a petition opposing the $1.4billion project.
“I don’t support it. So many voices are coming up but we in the Bose Vanua (o Vuda) do not support what they did,” said Mr Natakele.
“They came and passed us and went straight to the Tui Vuda to get a petition signed.
“People came on their own to get Na Turaga na Tui Vuda’s signature.”
Mr Natakele reiterated the land on which the proposed waste-to-energy facility would be built on was not native land.
“The land they are talking about is State land. It belongs to Government.”
The Taukei Nakelo also responded to concerns raised by tourist-based operators opposing the proposed project.
“There are many factories located around Lautoka, and it does not affect their business.
“We have the sugar mill that has been around for so long and they are located near villages and is in town. We don’t see a lot of talk around them.”
He also urged leaders of landowning units to make the right choice for the betterment of their people.
Mr Natakele said past projects that had received consent from their forefathers had benefited the whole country.
“They gave their consent for the oil storage facility in Vuda.
“For many years it has supplied oil to the rest of the country. For every development our elders gave their consent not only thinking about the people of Vuda but they also thought about the rest of Fiji.
“So I think it is important that the Vanua o Vuda make the right decision on this development so that it not only benefits the people of Vuda but every Fijian.”
A third public consultation on the proposed project will be held at Lauwaki Village in Lautoka at 7pm today.
