In May, 2008, Alipate Qetaki answered the call of the board of trustees under the chairmanship of the late President and Turaga na Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda.

He accepted the call to be the executive director of the then Native Land Trust Board following the untimely death of the then general manager the late Semi Tabakanalagi. The position of general manager was advertised subsequently and he was was one of the nine applicants. The board of Trustees confirmed his appointment as general manager in September, 2008 on the recommendation of Maxumise, a Consultancy firm that conducted the interview.

Mr Qetaki has served two three-year terms (September, 2008 – September, 2014) as general manager “to the best of my ability and with God’s help, guidance and protection.”

“I have fully and satisfactorily discharged my role, functions and duties as general manager in accordance with my job description, key accountabilities and employment contract. I believe I have performed to the expectations of the iTaukei landowners, tenants, Government and other interested stakeholders. Observance of the relevant laws; compliance issues and discipline as well as productivity, innovation and reform has been a focus of my administration and management team,” he said.

“To say that there were a lot of challenges in the last 6 years or so is an understatement. However, there were also a lot of opportunities and strengths that were identified, seized and harnessed.

“My executive management team with the support of the TLTB staff and guidance and direction from the board of trustees was able to achieve a lot and move TLTB forward in one of the most testing and delicate periods of TLTB’s history.

“We embraced the Land Reforms introduced by the Government and facilitated Government’s land policies for the greater benefit of the landowners, tenants and the nation. In doing so executive management remained anchored on the board’s statutory functions and duties and on its trustee role for the iTaukei landowners.

“TLTB’s achievements during this period has been many. However, there are still more to be done. Serving the iTaukei landowners and tenants as general manager of the TLTB has been a humbling, satisfying, challenging, learning and extraordinary experience for me.

“I wish to thank the board of trustees especially its chairman the Hon. Prime Minister, the two deputy general managers, Regional and senior managers and all the staff for their support during the last six years. I thank the itaukei landowners for their generosity and sincerity. I also thank the tenants or iTaukei landowner for their hard work, dedication and responsiveness.”

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