Illegal Sales Of Native Land Adds To More Squatters

New houses are being built just outside the Waidamudamu Settlement area at Koronivia without proper leases, giving rise to more informal housing.
This process of acquiring land which belongs to Yavusa Navisere of Navuso is being sold for as much as $10,000 without the involvement of the iTaukei Land Trust Board’s knowledge
The Waidamudamu Settlement came into being after land was sold in an analogous manner.
The man selling most of the land has been identified as Naweli Fatiaki. Mr Fatiaki admitted that land had been sold to people and houses were being built.
He said so far TLTB had not been involved in the land dealing. He also admitted selling land in Naulu in an analogous manner.
He said he was a member of the landowning unit.
And while the informal settlement has been developed, it was not done by the Ministry of Housing and Community Development.
Informal settlements in Sakoca, Cunningham, Khalsa Road, Tuirara and Naulu happened as a result of such land sales.
Nawaikula message
Parliamentarian Niko Nawaikula lives metres away from these developments.
He said the TLTB needed to get proactive and investigate such matters. He said such dealings were depriving landowners and the tenants.
He said TLTB must wake up.
According to the law, all land dealings concerning iTaukei land must be done through the TLTB who the custodians of the land are.
In a statement last week, TLTB said on-going attempts by individuals to sell iTaukei without following the proper process as stipulated under law which TLTB was established to administer is unlawful and will not be condoned.
“If any member of the public should encounter any individual claiming to be involved in the sale of iTaukei land and is not carrying proper identification or documentation, please contact your nearest TLTB office for verification. Furthermore, we strongly urge the public to be vigilant and make enquiries at any TLTB office where there is any uncertainty or suspicion involving iTaukei land or dealings relating to iTaukei land before paying any money for the proposed transaction,” the TLTB statement clarified.