The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) wishes to correct the claims made by Mataqali Mataqereqere over the weekend in Delainavesi in Suva by saying that TLTB does not have any intention to issue any lease on the land in question.

TLTB chief executive officer Tevita Kuruvakadua said TLTB would not consider any lease application or development on the land known as Bonatoa which belongs to the Mataqali Mataqereqere of Suvavou Village.

“The land was first schemed some years ago with the request from the Ministry of Local Government for the formalisation or regularisation of squatter or vakavanua settlements.

“The work on the formalisation of the area was stopped due to the landowners’ show of disagreement especially from the head of their mataqali  (Turaga ni Mataqali),” he added.

Mr Kuruvakadua said that this same piece of land was later leased out to a bus company but was later withdrawn due to internal bickering and frequent threats from the mataqali.

“As of now we do not know what were the landowners’ intention in creating such a scene that was broadcasted live through a Facebook chat group since last Sunday claiming that TLTB is taking over their land without their consent.

“We want to say that TLTB will neither receive any application or expression of interest nor issue any lease for the land known as Bonatoa,” he added.

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