A joint team from Water Authority of Fiji, the iTaukei Land Trust Board, and the Department of Lands will meet directly with the landowners next Tuesday to formally present the lease arrangements and outline the way forward after the mataqali Nabukarabe of Nakama Village in Macuata threaten to close the Nasarava water catchment.
The landowners are demanding over one million dollars in lease arrears to be paid to them.
When contacted by fijivillage News, WAF says it is aware of the concerns being raised by the landowners regarding the Nasarava Water Catchment in Labasa, and it acknowledges the seriousness of the matter.
They say for clarity, there are two separate catchments in the area, Nasalasala and Nasarava, and they are treated differently from a land administration perspective.
The Nasalasala Catchment has been under a formal lease held by the Director of Lands with lease rentals administered and paid through the Department of Lands.
The most recent payment was made in September 2025 based on official records.
The Nasarava Catchment, which is the subject of the current concern, sits outside the original historical lease boundary.
This is a legacy land administration issue that WAF has been working closely with all key stakeholders to resolve amicably.
Since 2025, WAF has been working closely with the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Department of Lands to address this gap and regularise the lease arrangements for the Nasarava Catchment.
WAF confirms that as of 21st January 2026, all required technical, legal, and customary processes have been completed, and the lease terms for the Nasarava Catchment have been finalised.
They acknowledge that the concerns raised by the landowners are long-standing and valid.
WAF says it remains committed to resolving this matter fairly, transparently, and in good faith, while also ensuring the continued delivery of essential water supply services to the people of Labasa.
Spokesperson for the mataqali Nabukarabe, Osea Waqainavatu told fijivillage News that other villagers of Nakama have also agreed with the mataqali’s decision to close the water catchment after seven days from Thursday if the paymentis not made.
Waqainavatu says the water source has not been leased by WAF or any other stakeholders for water supply over the past 75 years.
He adds that the issue has been raised many times during meetings with government officials during their visits to the village, but nothing has been done to date.
When questioned by fijivillage News, Minister for Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau says the matters are currently being progressed via the Commissioner North with complex legal matters via the Ministry of Lands and iTLTB.
He says he perfectly understands the frustrations of the mataqali and the joint team is working to resolve he issue by the end of week and meet the mataqali soon.
