SEVEN villages in the district of Sigatoka are renewing their opposition to the proposed iron-sand mining project, accusing authorities of failing to consult them after a new environmental impact assessment report was received.
Spokesperson Joeli Kunaturaga said the traditional landowners remain firmly opposed to dredging in the Sigatoka River and will not accept financial compensation in exchange for their fishing rights.
Mr Kunaturaga said he was speaking on behalf of the chiefs and people of seven villages including Nasigatoka, Laselase, Nasama, Volivoli, Yavulo, Nayawa and Vunavutu.
“We don’t want money, and we don’t want dredging on our Sigatoka River,” he said.
He stressed the EIA report was presented without proper consultation with the traditional owners.
He said the landowners had raised their objections with the Government, including through a letter to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers, but their concerns remained unresolved more than 15 months later.
Mr Kunaturaga said the proposed project falls within the area which covered the area where the traditional owners say their livelihoods and ancestral connections are at stake. He said chiefs and landowners have opposed the project and are preparing a petition to submit to the Department of Environment by October 30.
Mr Kunaturaga said the seven villages depended on the river, the sea and nearby land for food and survival, warning that dredging could threaten their way of life.
He said the community had made its position clear to the Government rejecting both dredging and any waiver of fishing rights.
