‘TLTB Should Supervise Lease Money Going To Trustees’
Some landowners in Nadi have supported the lease money distribution through the iTaukei hierarchy structure, but proposed few changes.
Among them is Rusiate Waqa who said there should be a policy for TLTB to supervise the lease money distribution that went to trustees and distributed to beneficiaries.
“We have seen some trustees misuse that money,” he said.
“If there is an abuse, the TLTB should have powers to terminate the trustees.
“The policy for a child to reach the age of 18 and access the fund should remain.
“Lastly, bring back the portion of distribution that goes to the mataqali and yavusa heads.”
Nakovacake Development Trust chairman Anare Naivurevure suggested an assignment policy for the trust account.
“The assignment is where 61 per cent have to sign for the lease money to go into their trust accounts to fund their development projects,” he said.
“Over the years Nakovacake has benefited a lot from funds in its trust account. In the 1980s to 2003 about 120 houses were built in the village with the money from that trust account. “We bought some other properties that will fund business operations of landowners.”
The trust consists of representatives from landowning units of yavusa Tukani, NoiNaiqoro and Botiluvuka (Nadi) in the villages of Navoci and Namotomoto, District of Nadi, Province of Ba.
Mr Naivurevure said he supported the hierarchy structure because traditional leaders need financial support to serve the vanua.
“I support the policy where the chief (LiuliuniYavusa) and head of the clan (LiuliuniMataqali) received their own portion in their commitments to serve the vanua,” he said. TuraganiYavusa of Namotomoto, Nadi, Tomasi Naulumatua said contributions helped in their commitments to serve the people.
“There are commitments required from the church, vanua and the Government. All these commitments come through us,” he said.
“It will be better if we receive the portion we once had so we can meet obligations to our people and vanua. “Many are not committed to the work of the vanua but have received equal contribution.”
Elenoa Ratudradra of Namotomoto Village, Nadi prefers the equal contribution.
“Better to receive one cent one,” she said.
“This way the money comes to each one of us. Previously the cream would go to the top people and it was changed by the Bainimarama government.
“Also those who don’t stay in the village and do not contribute for the betterment of the village sustainability should forgo their share.”