Fair share for Serua landowners in resource extraction - Boseiwaqa

The landowners of Serua believe in safeguarding the rights of iTaukei resources.

Chairman of the Serua Provincial Council, Tevita Boseiwaqa highlighted this and says they need to get a fair share of the benefits from these resources.

He also hopes to take part in the extraction of these resources through their land-owning company.

While speaking to fijivillage News, Boseiwaqa says most of the rights of the landowners are restricted to some extent since they have resources such as land, forests and minerals.

He says landowners must benefit from the compensation of the resources and also understand that this will benefit their future generations.

The Chairman also stressed that they agree with the review of the Mineral Act and would like to see that they are part of the ownership.

Meanwhile, iTaukei Affairs Administration Review Committee team leader, Jone Baleidrokadroka says they are now in the final stage of collecting submissions from the 14 provinces.

Baleidrokadroka adds a key contribution to this review is to find ways for the iTaukei to rise above the poverty line and utilise their resources for their benefit.