PM backs motion to amend iTaukei Land Trust Act
Did the iTaukei people consent for Ballu Khan to be paid millions of dollars by the iTaukei Land Trust Board? Did the iTaukei people consent for money from Schedule A and Schedule B money transferred never to be seen?
These were the questions posed in Parliament by Prime Minister and chair of iTaukei Land Trust Board Voreqe Bainimarama who rose to speak in support of a motion to amend the existing iTaukei Land Trust Act
Mr Khan was commissioned by the then NLTB to install certain software for their use. Currently Section 30 of the Act states: The Board may appoint a Manager, a Secretary and such other officers, inspectors, clerks and servants as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The Manager shall be the senior executive officer of the Board and shall be responsible to the Board for carrying out of the Board’s policy and instructions. Government, thorough Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum put forward a motion that this section be amended to amend the position of Manager and replace it with Chief Executive Officer, and that the CEO be paid competitive remuneration based on market rate. The proposed amendment stated that the Higher Salaries Commission. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum tabled the motion to amend the iTaukei Land Trust (amendment) Bill of 2019.
This came under intense attack from SODELPA members who claimed this infringed the rights of iTaukei population. This charge was led by Niko Nawaikula, Mosese Bulitavu and Viliame Gavoka.
What was said:
Mr Bulitavu claimed that this administrative amendment was taking away the safety net from the iTaukei people.
Mr Nawaikula went a step ahead and said this legislation was “tabu” and Government should not touch it.
Ro Filipe Tuisawau gave a more mellowed response and asked that the amendment be sent to the Standing Committee. Speaking in support of the amendment were: Mr Bainimarama, Infrastructure Minister Jone Usamate, Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete and Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu.