Calls to increase compensation for natural building resources
Landowners have raised concerns regarding the inadequate compensation for natural building resources such as sand, gravel, and soil.
During a public consultation meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) in Labasa, Ratu Manoa Tuiwainikai, the Sau Ni Vanua of Qoibau, highlighted the need to increase the price per cubic meter of these resources to reflect their true value.
Ratu Manoa said landowners, like himself, receive minimal payment, with only $4.50 for one cubic meter of gravel and $24 for one cubic meter of soil.
In contrast, buyers sell these resources at significantly higher market prices, reaping substantial profits. He said gravel and sand were sold between $40 and $100 per cubic meter, indicating a significant disparity between the compensation received by landowners and the prices at which these resources are sold.
“This pricing does not reflect the true value of our resources, and we, as landowners, are being deprived of fair compensation,” Ratu Manoa said.
Adjusting the prices to a reasonable level, closer to half of the selling price, he said, would greatly benefit village communities and contribute to their progress and development while addressing financial uncertainties. Review team leader, Dr Ratu Jone Baledrokadroka, acknowledged the submission. He assured the attendees that the concerns would be communicated to relevant authorities to explore potential changes in extraction prices that align with the needs of the people and market costs. Dr Baledrokadroka also highlighted the upcoming public consultation on the review of certain land laws as another platform to address this issue more comprehensively.
“Land resources are a crucial topic of discussion intertwined with the GCC,”
Ratu Jone said.