Some landowners of Nasomo Village landowners in Vatukoula received a royalty payout of approximately $885,500.60 yesterday.

The payment was issued by the Fijian Government.

The payout is a fair share of mineral royalties for gold and silver mined by Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited.

Village headman, Viliame Rokoraiba, said 123 landowners received the payout.

Mr Rokoraiba said $20,000 would be deducted for landowners’ investment.

“We have plenty of projects,” he said.

“Our short term plan is to renovate our hall, and upgrade our road.”

“The long term plan is to obtain a licence for a grader to help clear the road.”

“We want to help stop flooding, which usually affects nearby villages.”

A statement from the Fijian Government said the 12th royalty payout to the Nasomo Landowners Trust was paid on September 15.”

It is the 12th since the inception of the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018,” the statement read.

“In this recent payout, a total of $76,676.86 royalty payments was made to 123 Nasomo landowners.”

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