TLTB Offers Advice On Land Leases

The iTaukei Land Trust Board has advised leasees not to meet mataqali land­owners directly to discuss re­newal of their land lease.

This was during public consul­tations at Seaqaqa and Labasa yesterday.

TLTB acting manager northern Nemani Tamani said there had been reports by some people who have been asked to pay goodwill to landowners for renewal of land leases.

“No one is to pay goodwill to anyone,” Mr Tamani said.

“We are here to provide services to the public and we have advised them to meet us directly and we will then meet landowners for discussion.”

He said more than 40 people gathered at each venue (Seaqaqa Temple and Labasa Civic Centre) and all issues raised would be discussed with TLTB staff next week, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We had this consultation as part of our programme of bring­ing services to the people of the Northern Division,” Mr Tamani said.

“We are doing this to know what people think about our services.

“Most of the common issues raised were on expired land leas­es, including agricultural land leases.

“Most of the people have their agricultural land leases expiring in the next five years.

Once we received their appli­cation for renewal of land lease then we will be able to assist them.”

Edited by Percy Kean

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