Vatulele landowners call for ancestral land to be returned amid resort dispute

Vatulele landowners staged a silent protest outside Parliament yesterday, demanding transparency and proper consultation over the proposed redevelopment of the Vatulele Island Resort by Jay Singh’s Vatulele Hotels Pte Limited.

The protest comes amid growing concerns from three village clans (mataqali)––Nasalia, Naicocokobalavu, and Valevale––over the handling of the proposed development and decision by the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) to extend the project timeline.

TLTB has publicly defended its decision stating that the extension was made to protect the long-term economic and social benefits of the project for landowners and future generations.

However, landowners say they want to be fully involved in decisions concerning their ancestral land.

The protest follows the TLTB’s position that the redevelopment agreement was designed to create long-term benefits through tourism investment, employment opportunities and economic returns for the landowners.

However, the clans believe their concerns must be addressed and voices heard as discussions continue over the future of the resort project.

Vatulele representative Joeli Tukuna said the three clans presented a petition to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, outlining their concerns and demands regarding the proposed development.

Mr Tukuna said the community had been waiting for answers the past 10 years after TLTB first approached them regarding the land earmarked for the hotel project.

“It has been 10 years since the iTLTB approached us regarding this proposed hotel development,” Mr Tukuna said.

He said the landowners were not against development but wanted transparency and meaningful consultation before any decisions were made.

“We are asking for transparency and proper consultation because this is our land and it affects our future generations,” he said.

The clans are also requesting that the land be reverted to them so that they can explore their own development opportunities.

“They are asking if the land can be returned to the landowners so we can develop it for the benefit of our children and future generations,” Mr Tukuna said.

The prime minister said proper consultation was critical whenever land development was being considered, adding landowners must be consulted first before any major decisions involving their land was made.

He reiterated that consultation remains an important part of ensuring land development is carried out fairly and with the support of those who own the land.

The clans are now calling for further dialogue with relevant authorities to resolve their concerns and that the interests of landowners remain the centre of any future development plans