There is no Land Grab by Govt - Usamate

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate says there is a wide misconception of land grab through the Land Bank by the government which at times has led to insecurity of investment.

Usamate highlighted this in parliament today and says that for the past few years the Land Bank has been the subject of misconception and fake news.

The Minister says the government has also ensured that it protects the interest of iTaukei landowners and it will never compromise on this.

Usamate says many Fijians are not fully aware or have been misinformed of the Land Bank investment and what the Land Use Division stands.

He says this unit is also required to promote transparency and dialogue between landowners, lessees and the State.

Usamate says the primary role is the development of the Land Bank to facilitate the efficient leasing of land that are currently idle and not utilized under the terms and conditions which are attractive to both landowners and tenants.

Meanwhile, SODELPA MP Mitieli Bulanauca says it is important that assets of the landowners are managed by the iTaukei Land Trust Board itself rather than by the government.

Bulanauca says landowners were never consulted in the Land Use Policy.

NFP President Pio Tikoduadua says the Land Bank was a policy to undercut the role of the TLTB and open up access to iTaukei land for development.

Tikoduadua says he wonders if the Minister responsible for TLTB will be bold enough to have a public inquiry on the working of TLTB in the same way that the Housing Authority inquiry is being done.