Koya Clarifies Lakena Land Issue
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Koya reiterated that the ministry had continued its core role of the maintenance of existing subdivisions.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday Mr Koya said the Lakena Land Subdivision, in Nausori, was established in 1980 with 669 hectares where 733 lots were allocated. He said the lots were then branched out into 168 agricultural leases, 55 industrial leases, 367 residential, five commercial, three educational leases, three religious leases and eight leases for special use and subsistence leases. This was in response to the Opposition MP Jiosefa Dulakiverata’s question on the progress of the subdivision.
“The purpose of this particular maintenance project is to upgrade and improve infrastructure of public utilities and amenities in existing subdivisions on state lands,” Mr Koya said.
He said the maintenance work included upgrading of access roads, water supply, construction of drains and footpaths which were budgeted for.
Mr Koya said also revealed that with the status of lease expiry in the Lakena subdivision there were 22 expired agriculture leases.
“Re-entry is one of them, 18 are actually expiring and three have been surrendered all of which were issued on a 20-30-year term.
“Out of the 22 expired leases for Lakena, two have been advertised, three have had their lease documents uplifted for execution, six under preparation for lease, three lease submissions, two awaiting inspection and two waiting document such as tender, three surrender and one re-entry.”