Namosi landowners question provincial council support for copper mine

The decision of the Namosi Provincial Council meeting does not violate landowners’ rights as far as the proposed copper mining project is concerned.

Chairman Ratu Romanu Matanitobua said the council has only given the support to Namosi Joint Venture on education assistance provided to the students.

Matanitobua said majority of students who have benefitted are from the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee which includes the district of Namosi, Wainikoroiluva in the province of Namosi and the district of Waidina in Naitasiri.

This follows comments by the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee on the statement from the Namosi Provincial Council last week.

Spokesperson Sipiriano Nariva said the landowners committee is concerned with the support shown by the council and Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua.

Nariva said their main concern is the plight of the landowners especially with the current prospecting works and also the cost associated with such a project in terms of its environmental and social impacts.

Nariva added they disagree with the statement made by the council that the five districts of Namosi support the project, as according to him a recent survey conducted showed that 92 percent of the landowners are against the continuation of the special prospecting license.

Matanitobua said Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua is willing to hold talks with the landowners.

The Environmental Impact Assessment is yet to be completed in relation to the proposed copper mine.


Story by: Watisoni Butabua