Concerns over environmental pollution, stalled development of Vatia City, and landownership rights were raised during the Fijian Media Association’s 'Meet the Public and the Press' town hall at the Golden Event Centre in Tavua.
The Chair of the Landowning Unit for Tavua, Tevita Ralulu claimed that Tavua Hospital is discharging waste into the Nasivi River, which is affecting the village members who use the river.
Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau confirmed that they will look into that.
CEO of the Water Authority of Fiji, Seru Soderberg also stressed that such discharges are illegal under environmental laws.
Western Division Senior Medical Officer Dr Renita Maharaj denied the claims, saying that there is no direct discharge of any sewage from Tavua Hospital.
She says the hospital has its own sewage system, but the clinical waste follows a separate protocol.
Ralulu also raised frustration over delays in the proposed Vatia City project, a major landowner-driven development planned for Tavua.
He says they have been waiting for four years, have completed all legal processes, and have 60 percent support from four mataqali, but TLTB has done nothing.
In response, a TLTB representative says the delay stems from internal disputes among landowning families.
Meanwhile, Ralulu also challenged the ongoing royalty payments from Vatukoula Gold Mine, claiming his family is the rightful landowner.
He says he has evidence that the mine land was sold by his great-great-grandfather, and those currently receiving royalties in Nasomo are not registered under any Ba Provincial village.
He is calling for clarification on who should rightfully receive the payments.
Government officials assured that all concerns raised will be followed up.
