Government Considers Buyback Scheme
"There are cases when land was owned traditionally in the past but could be given back to the landowners if it is no longer being used for the purpose that it was required for."
Sunday 05 May 2024 | 12:00
Minister for Lands and mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo with members of the yavusa o Lewaiwavuwavu in Sabeto Village, Nadi. Photo: Mereleki Nai
Government is considering a buyback scheme where landowners can buy back land that belongs to government.
That was revealed by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, on Thursday in Sabeto Village, Nadi.
Mr Vosarogo told the Sabeto land-owners that the buyback scheme would only eventuate if there were more demand from landowners.
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"iTaukei Land Trust Board, TLTB usually conducts that; and not as quite often," he said.
"There are cases when land was owned traditionally in the past but could be given back to the landowners if it is no longer being used for the purpose that it was required for."
"That is usually asked for of government, the land-owning unit can no longer sustain them by the numbers. So, they normally let the TLTB know of their predicament and their challenges.
"TLTB will first conduct their consultations. After their consultations, they will then write to the Ministry for Lands stating the rea-son on why the landowning unit and their land no longer can sustain them.
"Then we will look for the unused portions of those state lands."
He said many portions of land were presently unused at the moment and those were the ones that they would release.
"Above that, I think the process that used to be followed in the past; we might consider again the buy-back scheme where landowners can buy back land that belongs to the government."
"That is to take the Cabinet to approve.
"We haven't gotten to that stage yet, but it depends on how much demand there is," Mr Vosarogo added.
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