Government to look into the 999-year land deal – A-G

CERTAIN land dealings conducted by previous government administrations will be investigated, says Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.

In an interview in Lautoka, he said the Coalition Government would also look into the plight of a mataqali whose land in Tavua was leased out for 999 years.

Acknowledged as one of the longest leases ever in the history of Fiji, landowners were raking in an annual rental income of as low as 10 cents and as high as $50.

“If the Government finds that it can buy the land back on behalf of the iTaukei, it will,” Mr Turaga said.

“If it can’t for various reasons, the iTaukei owners will need to be compensated and that’s the whole purpose.

“It’s always my firm belief that if I get into such a position one day, I am going to look at such issues, acknowledging the traditional owners.”

Mr Turaga said it was important to note that the traditional owners of Suva City, the people of tikina Suva, were also fighting, for a long time, over monies that were supposed to be paid to them.

“There are various things that we have to set up so that we can come up with the spirit of reconciliation in Fiji and to note that traditional owners are connected to the land.

“When that land is dispossessed from them illegally or by other means, it affects how they think.

“We have to look to the New Zealand government and how they deal with such issues in recognition of the traditional people.

“This is why we are going to the Land Claims Tribunal and this is not unique to Fiji, matters regarding dealings with the land to be enquired into and investigated.”