Landowners urged to get involved in Fiji’s investment projects

Landowners in Fiji need to get involved in any investment that takes place on their land.

Deputy Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Jone Navakamocea says questions have been raised with Energy Fiji Limited about whether they have plans in terms of facilitating the participation of resource owners.

iTaukei Affairs Land Trust Board CEO Solomoni Nata says we should consider resource holders as the government has captured the landowners involved in terms of the National Development Plan as equity holders in EFL and also Airports Fiji.

EFL consultant Atu Siwatibau says one way that landowners could take part in the investment is to be a part of the supply chain.

Siwatibau says we also need to organise ourselves in our landowning units to be able to make use of the assets that we have to put in as equity as part of these projects so that we become equity owners.

Minister of Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau says identifying gaps and proposing solutions to create a more conducive environment for investment in Fiji is vital.

Ro Filipe says they are working towards a framework that not only attracts private investment but will also support and strengthen our power utility company, Energy Fiji Limited.

He adds they need to ensure that they create the right commercial environment for both EFL and independent power producers in the renewable energy sector to thrive.