LANDOWNERS URGED NOT TO DISRUPT OPERATIONS

The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has advised landowners of the Nasealevu Water Catchment Area in Labasa against taking any actions that may disrupt the ongoing operations of the water catchment.

This follows concerns raised by the landowners regarding the lease agreement with the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) for the catchment area.

Last year, this masthead highlighted concerns of the landowners plea for better access road into the village and threatened to close off the water catchment if their pleas was not answered.

Among issues raised by landowners were the construction and maintenance of an access road to their village, clarity on the lease issuance process, distribution of lease monies and verification of lease approvals.

Additionally, they requested a forest inventory by the department of forestry to assess the value of merchantable timber, as well as the construction of 12 fish ponds as compensation for the environmental impact caused by the dam’s construction.

The road that connects Nasealevu, Virikilai Va’uwa and Logani.

In response to these concerns, TLTB has worked closely with relevant stakeholders and held joint consultations with the landowning unit (LOU) members of Nasealevu Village.

In a statement yesterday, the iTLTB stated that the following resolutions have been reached:

• Access Road Construction: WAF has agreed to construct and maintain the access road, after realising it was a condition requested by the LOU.
• Lease Documentation and Transparency: TLTB provided all requested information regarding the lease issuance process, including a copy of the lease title and detailed lease statements for the four mataqali within Yavusa Nasealevu Luvutu, Vatuwa, Nasealevu, and Logani.
• Merchantable Timber Inventory: The Department of Forestry will conduct an inventory assessment to determine the value of merchantable timber within the leased area.
• Fishpond Feasibility Study: The Department of Fisheries conducted a feasibility study on the proposed fishponds. The study found that the water overflow from the dam could only sustain three fishponds instead of the 12 requested, a result that has led to some dissatisfaction among certain LOU members.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the involvement of an external consultant who has reportedly influenced some LOU members to question the legitimacy of the lease title and attempt to disrupt access to the Nasealevu water catchment.

The matter has escalated to the commissioners’ office for further review.

TLTB will continue to work with landowners to resolve their concerns amicably, but has urged them not to take any actions that would disrupt the water catchment operations.

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj