Editorial: Big Development Involves 14 Villages In Tailevu

It is important that stakeholders concerned strike a balance between economic progress and environmental preservation.  

The proposed development along the coast of Tailevu south is creating a buzz in the villages that concern it. 

The Tailevu Provincial Council is in talks with a Chinese developer, the villages, Government and other stakeholders, to approve what is said will be a proposed site for agricultural development, a university and an industrial area. 

While the development is all well and good for the future of this part of the province, it would be remiss of the developers not to take into consideration the plight of these villages and their people. 

We’re told that talks involve relocating several villages to a new site, to make way for development. 

If that is the case, then the villagers are right in raising concerns about their displacement. 

Already, many villagers in Fiji have had to be relocated to new sites because of the impacts of climate change. Their sacred grounds and burial sites were destroyed because of coastal inundation and sea level rise. 

And villagers in this proposed development, while agreeing to the big project because of its future potential, are unhappy with the logic of relocation. 

A concerted effort needs to be made to ensure that the integrity of these villages, their consent or demands, be met before the proposed development takes flight. 

Story By: Ranoba Baoa 

Feedback: ranobab@fijisun.com.fj