‘Rabuka Will Always Spread False Information About iTaukei Land’
The equal distribution of lease money under the FijiFirst Government may change if Sitiveni Rabuka leads government again.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama pleaded with landowning Fijians to keep in mind their 18-yearold children and the equal share of lease money.
He was responding to Mr Rabuka’s claims in the Western Division about iTaukei land and that the equal distribution of land was government’s way of taking ownership of the land.
“With their (18-year-old) share of the lease payments they have been able to build their homes, start their own businesses and pay for their tuition fees,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“I say it because I know that he (Rabuka) will never lead Government again. Fijians have seen that government’s policies on iTaukei land have greatly helped Fijian landowners.”
He said there was no agreement made by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga with landowners as claimed by Mr Rabuka, rather it was established to help those who were already successful.
“Times have changed and we are now treated equally. The time of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga and Rabuka’s time has ended and there is no place for them in the times that we are living in now,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama said it was shocking that Mr Rabuka had made those claims while in Ba where Dr Timoci Bavadra was from, the same person that Mr Rabuka had overthrown from Government in 1987.
“Rabuka has returned to the province that he mistreated in 1987 to win over the population so that they can support his political ambitions. It’s hard for us to believe what he is saying. No matter how good he explains iTaukei land, he will always spread false information about it.”
Mr Bainimarama said iTaukei land would never be converted to State land and he would continue to champion the rights of all Fijians.