“The Government is definitely not taking 100 percent royalty payment for gravel and sand extraction and qoliqoli owners are receiving their share of payment.”
This was stated by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Alvick Maharaj when SODELPA MP, Ro Teimumu Kepa stated that some qoliqoli owners have mentioned that they have not been receiving any money in the last few years.
Ro Teimumu says if that is the case, then qoliqoli owners will not be bothered about what is happening in their area as they are not getting any returns.
She then asked Maharaj to look into this.
Maharaj says he is interested in Ro Teimumu’s claim however as far as he knows, landowners are given $3 or $4 per cubic metre through the Ministry of Lands while qoliqoli owners get $6.25 per cubic metre.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, Dr Raijeli Taga says they pay a rate of $2.18 where 50 cents goes to customary fishing rights owners and $1.68 to the state.
She says they have reviewed the rates and are now seeking cabinet’s approval to increase it.
