The Mataqali Saniveikau has given the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Tailevu Provincial Office five days to meet with them, together with the Director of Lands and the Water Authority, to resolve longstanding issues over the water catchment lease at Namau, Tailevu.
For over a decade, the mataqali has battled unresolved concerns, claiming that repeated attempts to engage with authorities have been ignored.
They say the iTLTB and the Tailevu Provincial Office have failed to listen or assist the landowners, and their rights as indigenous owners continue to be overlooked.
They say the water dam on their land has restricted the community’s ability to build homes, construct access roads, and cultivate the land— the only available area for their mataqali.
The mataqali warn that if their demands are not met within the five-day period, they will have no choice but to proceed with developing their native land upstream.
They also call on authorities to act immediately to safeguard the community’s well-being and the future of their next generations.
Water Authority of Fiji CEO Seru Soderberg says they have just received the matter today and are currently looking into it.
He says they will provide further comments once all relevant details have been fully reviewed.
