Landowner: Govt Walks the Talk
THE PM AND HIS GOVERNMENT DON’T JUST TALK AS THEY DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO, SAYS UNAISI UQENAVANUA
For 64-year-old Nasomo landowner Unaisi Uqenavanua, there is one thing she will always remember and that is Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his Government do not only talk, but carry out what they say they will do.
She was one of 123 members of the Nasomo Landowners Trust who received a total of $62,705.24 in royalty payouts from the Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited for September to November 2018.
Each landowner received $509.80 from Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Ashneel Sudhakar at the Nasomo Community Hall yesterday.
These royalty payments are for mining being done of their land by the company.
The payment is the second in what is to be a series of payments to be made depending on the minerals being mined by the company. Nasomo Landowners Trust is fortunate in that it is the first recipient of the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Bill, which involves landowners receiving 80 per cent of royalty and the 20 per cent to Government. The Trust received $65,221 from former Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Koya on November 6 this year for 100 landowners, with each receiving $652.21 each.
Mrs Uqenavanua said she was surprised to get a call yesterday morning informing her of the royalty payout.
“What a beautiful Christmas gift for the people of Nasomo,” she said. “The PM and his Government don’t just talk as they do what they say they will do.
“We want to thank the Government for this payment because it has come just before Christmas, which is so nice.”
Mr Sudhakar asked the landowners to use the money wisely with a special mention for the children and their school uniforms and bags for the new school year.
“Granted the ministry is legally obligated to pay out this share of royalty to the landowners, there would no royalties to even pay out if it was not for the initial support and trust rendered by the landowners to the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources,” he said. “This not only increases the shares of landowners in mineral development, but also furthers the foundation and growth of this partnership between the people and its elected Government in the robust sector.”