Government moves to finalise Nasarava compensation payment

The Government says it is working to finalise outstanding compensation payments for the Nasarava water catchment in Labasa, with landowners advised that the payment process is expected to be completed by the end of June.

The assurance comes amid growing frustration among members of the Nabukarabe clan, who have been waiting for the balance of a negotiated settlement linked to long-standing lease arrangements over the catchment area.

Clan secretary Kalesi Volatabu said the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) informed landowners that an invoice had been issued and forwarded to the Ministry of Lands for payment processing.

“We received a phone call yesterday from TLTB to indicate that an invoice has been issued and sent to the Ministry of Lands for payment. We have been informed that this should be finalised before the end of June 2026,” Ms Volatabu said.

Ms Volatabu said landowners had been told to expect payment by June 30.

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources confirmed it was actively working with stakeholders to resolve the matter and had reached agreement with the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) on the final payment figures.

The ministry said its assessed mesne profit liability for the period from 1951 to 2009 amounts to $479,222.62, while WAF has assumed responsibility for mesne profit payments from 2010 to 2025, amounting to $508,865.26.

It said the payment component under the ministry's responsibility was currently being processed in conjunction with TLTB.

The ministry stressed that the delay was not due to funds being withheld but was the result of ongoing verification and reconciliation processes being undertaken jointly with WAF to ensure accuracy and accountability.

It added that the verification exercise was a standard accountability measure designed to safeguard the interests of all parties and ensure public funds were disbursed correctly.

The ministry also stated it was awaiting the official invoice from TLTB to facilitate timely resolution of the matter.

The update follows a $1.4 million settlement agreement reached earlier this year between landowners, TLTB, the Department of Lands and WAF.

Under the agreement, compensation included:

• $765,000 in lease premium payments;
• $610,000 in compensation; and
• $35,000 in land rental payments.

The ministry said landowners would be formally advised through the appropriate channels once payments had been finalised.