$6m for Pine Landowners

Pine landowners from all over Fiji shared a $6m bonus marking a historic boost to the pine industry.

Since its inception in 2013, the lease security bonus payment has acted as an annual dividend for landowners based on the industry’s performance, with a payment of $42.5m to the landowners.

“This year, we are excited to distribute the Lease Security Bonus Payment (LSBP) to honour our valued relationship and recognise our resource owners who continue to lease their land with FPL (Fiji Pine Limited),” said Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu.

Ms Bainivalu, who handed out individual cheques, said the payout was a testament to Fiji Pine Limited’s commitment to landowners.

A total of 22 different Yavusas (tribes) and the Fiji Pine Trust received payments at the Fiji Pine headquarters in Drasa Sawmill Complex Lautoka yesterday.

Ms Bainivalu also said this would be the final Lease Security Bonus Payment (LSBP) cheque presentation ceremony.

Beginning in 2025, Fiji Pine Limited would transition to distributing dividends directly to the accounts of its stakeholders, specifically the landowners, based on the industry’s performance.

“The revenue earned from the pine industry, primarily from log sales to our subsidiaries, supports our landowners and the local economy. This commitment ensures a sustainable future for our industry and the communities we serve,” said Ms Bainivalu.

“The pine industry continues to provide tangible benefits to landowners in various forms, from lease premiums paid at the time of land leasing to annual lease rentals provided bi-annually, stumpage payments upon forest harvesting, and through the Landowner Community Development Fund, which supports landowner-based community projects.”

Fiji Pine Limited Chairman, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said the sector continued to directly and indirectly support about 25,000 landowners in 422 landowning units.

“And apart from that, activities in the mining sector also support about 500 staff in this organisation; and over 15 companies that are contractors providing services such as logging, carters, heavy machinery, and barge,” Ratu Rakuita said.

Nasolo’s investment, business plans 

Yavusa Nasolo landowners had already planned out where and how the funds they received would be used.

“We have projects lined up, schools that need better infrastructure, but our main priority are the university students in our Yavusa who need the money for school,” said Mereoni Kulu, who is the daughter of the Turaga Ni Yavusa Nasolo.

She said they would be investing in university students, which would further the developments in their villages.

The two different mataqalis of Yavusa Nasolo are also planning to set up poultry farms and other small businesses after receiving a payout of $151,677.03, with other pine landowners from around Fiji.

Village canteens and baking businesses are in the plans which have been requested by the members of the different tribes. The rest of the funds are to be shared amongst the members.

Empowering single mothers and women of the tribes have also been prioritised.

“We can now organise small workshops for the women in our village; they will be taught how to upskill their talents and these women also need assistance with their small businesses that they are planning to set up,” Ms Kulu said.

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