Vatia landowners say development plans are being diluted by drug-related publicity

Traditional landowners in Vatia say repeated public attention on drug-related activity is damaging the area’s reputation as they move closer to a major landowner-led development.

Land Owning Unit member and traditional landowner Tevita Ralulu said ongoing national focus on a major drug bust in Vatia, Tavua, was overshadowing long-planned development efforts.

Mr Ralulu said Vatia had been repeatedly linked to drugs in national coverage, creating a negative image at a critical time when landowners were finalising plans with investors.

“We are very disappointed with the way things are going. Every day now, people are talking about Vatia,” he said.

Mr Ralulu said landowners had waited for a project to begin development on their land, but recent events and continued attention on criminal activity had caused concern among his people.

“As traditional landowners, we do not want certain people to be in Vatia because this land will be covered by the project,” he said.

“There are people brought in to carry out dealings involving oil on our land. As landowners, we do not want these people there.

“They are drug dealers, and we do not want them in Vatia. They are not to be trusted, and whatever business they are involved in is illegal,” he said.

Mr Ralulu said drug-related activity in Vatia was not new and existed before the recent police operation and drug bust.

“I was one of those who informed Police about the drug issues on Vatia land,” he said.

However, he said the continued national focus on the drug bust was unfair to landowners who had no involvement and were now trying to move forward.

“These drug issues have been there for a long time, and Police action only came recently,” he said.

“The worst part is it keeps coming up every day, like it is the only news in Fiji.”

Mr Ralulu said landowners were working closely with the iTaukei Land Trust Board and investors, who were expected to visit the site soon.

“We are starting a new project in the interest of landowners, our people and the whole of Fiji,” he said.

He said the proposed development would create employment opportunities for people from all provinces.

“We want people from all over Fiji to come and work in Vatia.”

Speaking on behalf of the landowners, Ralulu called on those not aligned with the development vision to leave the area.

“As landowners, we want to start fresh and move forward with development, and we want these unwanted people to get away from our land,” he said.