26 September, 2023, 8:33 pm Central - 22°C Rain

NFP opposes Bill No 17 and calls to have it withdrawn immediately – Prasad

NFP opposes Bill No 17 and calls to have it withdrawn immediately – Prasad

By Naveel Krishant
Friday 23/07/2021
Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad.

The National Federation Party says they are deeply concerned that Government is trying to rush changes to the iTaukei Land Trust Act without consultation and that it is arrogant and disrespectful of the Government to rush through changes to indigenous land laws in this way.

Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says they oppose Bill No 17 and join the calls to have it withdrawn immediately.

Professor Prasad says the Government is saying that it wants to improve business efficiency by eliminating delays in getting TLTB consent for mortgages adding that Government has not consulted TLTB on these changes and it has not consulted anybody.

He further says these changes go much wider than mortgages and landowners have the right to ask why this is happening.

Professor Prasad also says ever since independence, all governments and all mainstream political parties have respected the primacy of land rights for Fiji’s indigenous people.

He adds NFP began in the 1960s as a party representing tenant farmers, but they have always respected the rights of indigenous people to their land.

The NFP Leader says they have always recognized that matters concerning iTaukei land are matters for the iTaukei and they agree that any changes to laws affecting iTaukei land should be widely consulted on and decided on by the iTaukei.

He also says every previous constitution of Fiji had special rules about changing laws relating to iTaukei land.

Professor Prasad claims Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum imposed the 2013 constitution on Fiji and for the first time took away those special rules.

He asks why do they now want to rush through changes without proper consultation.

Professor Prasad says if the problem is that some TLTB consents are slow, why not fix that problem at TLTB.

He says after all, the Prime Minister is the Chairman of TLTB adding that why is it necessary to change the law in such a draconian and dictatorial way.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
Some people targeted through impersonation scams requesting money to be sent via M-PaiSA
Vodafone Fiji is making M-PAiSA users aware of scammers as some people have been targeted through impersonation scams requesting money to be sent via ...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
I hope the world will find the courage and will to reform the global financial architecture – Prof. Prasad
If the world continues to muddle through as it has done for decades, it will deny small island states the opportunity and openings that we so justly ...
3 hours ago

Fully integrated Pacific region with a visa free arrangement is a crucial part of a short term fix for major skill migration – Prof.Prasad
Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad says Fiji is currently going through a major skill migration and this has the potential to harm our ...
4 hours ago

Urgent need for a rule-making system that safeguards common interests and minimizes risk and mistrust - Rabuka
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has addressed the pressing challenges faced by the Pacific region, including the consequences of the war of ...
5 hours ago

We are working with Congress to invest US$40 million in the Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative - Biden
The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden says he is working with Congress to invest US$40 million in the Pacific Islands ...
5 hours ago

SODELPA, NFP and FLP representatives call for participatory elections for the municipal councils
Representatives of SODELPA, National Federation Party and the Fiji Labour Party are calling for a participatory election for the municipal ...
6 hours ago
IN DEPTH
EBayShop Online Recruitment scam
The Consumer Council of Fiji has issued a public alert about a group of individuals running a deceptive pyramid scheme known as “EbayShop Online Recruitment.”
1 day ago

7 Grace Road Group executives declared prohibited immigrants in Fiji after decisions by the South Korean Government and a request by Interpol
7 Grace Road executives in Fiji have been declared prohibited immigrants by the Fijian Government, it has been made clear through government ...
1 day ago

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s trial
The trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho begins
39 days ago

TOP