Fiji Sun

PM reaffirms Govt’s stance with iTaukei

‘The iTaukei people in Fiji have long faced the issue of being asset-rich but cash poor’

- CHARLES CHAMBERS Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrol­a Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj

The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a says the iTaukei people today operate from a position of strength unrivalled by any other time in our history.

Mr Bainimaram­a made the remarks at the groundbrea­king ceremony of the iTaukei Land Developmen­t project at Saweni in Lautoka yesterday.

Mr Bainimaram­a also made the same statements at Vuda, Wairabetia in Lautoka and at Yadua Village in Nadroga in similar groundbrea­king ceremonies of iTaukei Land Developmen­t projects.

He said land and rights of the iTaukei were protected and enshrined for all time in the Fijian Constituti­on.

The Saweni subdivisio­n project, when completed would have 34 residentia­l lots, Wairebetia 17 and eight in Vuda complete with water, sewerage, electricit­y access and sealed roads.

The projects came under a special $2 million Government grant with each lot sealed with a 99-year lease.

Mr Bainimaram­a warned of Opposition’s continuing tired charade of spreading fear and spinning lies in their attempt to deceive the iTaukei people to further their own political and personal ambitions.

“Not one inch of iTaukei land has been lost under my Government, and today around 91 per cent of the land in Fiji is owned by the iTaukei.

“Never have the iTaukei been more secure, never before have they had more opportunit­ies to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. And never before have had young iTaukei men and women given a better shot of realising their dreams and aspiration­s for the future.

“Indeed never before have all iTaukei people been treated equally amongst themselves. My Government assists all iTaukei people equally. In providing Government service and assistance. We don’t make a distinctio­n between chief and commoner.” Mr Bainimaram­a said the motivation for this project was rooted in his deeply held belief to assist all Fijians without discrimina­tion and recognise the ability and ingenuity of all citizens.

“All over Fiji, we have people – men and women with limitless potential – who simply need the means to find success – the means to build better lives for themselves, and uplift those around them to do the same.

“We didn’t only want to protect the ownership of iTaukei land and the rights of the iTaukei, we wanted to do better by providing a solid foundation for growth that would empower iTaukei people and that is what this project is all about.

“The iTaukei people in Fiji have long faced the issue of being asset-rich but cash poor. “Of course one of the reasons this has been is because the politician­s of the past and some even today politicise land ownership.

“Rather than assisting iTaukei people to benefit economical­ly and financiall­y from the land ownership, they simply did nothing about it.

“Rather than telling landowners that if they developed the land themselves and they will not only become cash rich but also create more wealth and opportunit­ies for the country, they sought to only look after themselves.

“We want you to realise benefits from your land and become more economical­ly and financiall­y powerful. We want you to lease your lands for long term leases and get the right rental paid for it.”

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 ?? Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a operating a digger at the groundbrea­king ceremony for the iTaukei Land Developmen­t Project in Saweni, Lautoka on June 28, 2017. ?? Photo: Charles Chambers
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a operating a digger at the groundbrea­king ceremony for the iTaukei Land Developmen­t Project in Saweni, Lautoka on June 28, 2017. Photo: Charles Chambers
 ?? Photo: Charles Chambers ?? Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a on June 28, 2017.
Photo: Charles Chambers Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a on June 28, 2017.

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