Govt approves reversion of land for Vitogo in Ba

The Government has approved the reversion of a significant portion of Saru Native Grant (NG) 187, a 3,177-acre parcel of land in the District of Vitogo in Ba, to its original iTaukei landowners.

The iTaukei Land Trust Board says this landmark decision, formalized by a Cabinet decision, marks the culmination of decades of advocacy and legal processes.

They say that originally purchased by the colonial Government in 1926 for water supply purposes, the land, known as Saru NG 187, became redundant following the opening of the Vaturu Dam in 1982.

They add recognizing this, the original landowners, represented by Mataqali Nadakuvatu, Noi Batiri, Vidilo, Matarisiga, and Tunuloa, sought the land’s reversion under Section 8 of the State Lands Act 1945.

The Board says this provision states that where any iTaukei land that was acquired for a public purpose is no longer required for that purpose, the land may be reverted as iTaukei land to the landowning unit from which the land was first acquired.

It says after years of submissions and deliberations, including a 1999 Cabinet Decision approving partial reversion, the final survey, Deposited Plan 11954, was completed in 2023.

They say a subsequent submission to Cabinet in February this year led to the decisive approval of the reversion, with specific stipulations to ensure the protection of existing infrastructure and interests.

They added the process to complete the reversion will be carried out by the Director of Lands.

The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, through the iTaukei Land Trust Board and iTaukei Land Fisheries Commission, will ensure that the interests of all stakeholders, including lessees (whose leases are within NG 187) and landowners are secured and protected.

iTLTB says this decision represents a significant step towards recognizing and restoring the rights of the original iTaukei landowners.

The TLTB, in conjunction with its counterparts in government, is committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent transition, respecting the historical significance and future potential of the land.