Tiko Talks About How to Empower iTaukei Landowners Economically

Mr Tiko has proposed the setting up of a trust by the respective mataqalis

Economic empowerment of iTaukei and the protection of their land and natural resources are at the heart of New Generation Party’s political ideology.

The party’s founder and leader, businessman, Varinava Tiko, has passionately been talking in pocket meetings and on video to an iTaukei audience.

Although communally owned

iTaukei land represents at least 91 per cent of Fiji’s total land mass, they have not been able to convert it for cash to match their wealth of resources.

While the Government has introduced a number of initiatives to address the issue it is still a huge mountain to climb because it had virtually been left unattended by previous governments.

Mr Tiko has proposed the setting up of a trust by the respective

mataqalis (landowning units) to ensure that the landowners are protected and they get the best value for their land if it is leased for any purpose.

At the moment, it is the responsibility of the iTaukei Land Trust Board to administer these transactions after the majority of the landowners have given their consent.

Mr Tiko says the trust can negotiate on behalf of the landowners to ensure their interests are well looked after and they get maximum benefits from any deal or agreement. Secondly, any agreement should protect their resources to make them sustainable in the long term.

In one video, Mr Tiko talks about a proposed co-operative to help

iTaukei participate in the mainstream of business and commerce.

He says we have enough well educated and qualified iTaukei who can help is setting up the structures and realising this dream.

He adds that this dream has existed for some time. Some years ago, a group of professionals started working on a Master Plan for

iTaukei to be engaged in economic development. From this group the idea of a trust was conceived to replace the Great Council of Chiefs which was abolished.

A consulting agency, Nehemiah Corporation, was formed. Its purpose was to gather highly skilled human capital to provide consulting service for Fijians, especially

iTaukei, in Fiji.

It promoted social economy as a way of addressing inequality of social, health, economic and ecological conditions. It provided alternative solutions to the perceived failure to address the weakening social capital of communities.

Social economy is recognised by three guiding principles: co-operative enterprises, mutual benefit societies and non-profit associations.

The organisation believes that a new social and economic paradigm is a necessary step toward sustainability encompassing the fusion of economic, social and economic goals.

He also talks about the Yavutu Trust whose membership comprises, chiefs, mataqali, yavusa and tokatoka. It promoted the Bose Vanua o Viti where all the iTaukei stakeholders meet to discuss their natural and human resources.

Mr Tiko says the idea of setting a trust or co-operative might not go down well with some people because of some incidents in the past.

Some of the trusts and co-operatives went belly-up because of alleged mismanagement and abuse.

Mr Tiko says there is strength when iTaukei come together and unite for a purpose. He talks about legendary and traditional folk hero Apolosi Ranawai, an iTaukei business entrepreneur who led Viti Kabani, an iTaukei business company, that in its heyday thrived and succeeded in competing with the mainstream British expatriate business community, during the colonial days.