$9.7M lease money deposited for youths 18 and below - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says they deposited $9.7 million lease money in the HFC bank last week.

This was highlighted by the Prime Minister during a public meeting with sugar cane growers in Ba today.

Bainimarama who is also the Chair of the TLTB says the money was deposited following their meeting last Thursday.

He says this is the money that belongs to those who are 18 years and below and are registered in Vola ni Kawa Bula.

Bainimarama says the money will be equally distributed and they will be only able to withdraw the money when they are 18 years old.

Bainimarama highlights that most of the accounts have the lowest amount of $1 and the largest amount is $99,000.

He says before only a few people used to get the lease money but under the current government, the lease money is equally distributed to all those who are registered under the landowning unit.

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum says the government does not have the legal authority to tell the owner of a freehold land to give a lease or renew the lease.

Sayed‑Khaiyum highlighted this after an issue was raised that the freehold landowners have not renewed the lease.

He says they can talk to the owner on humanity grounds but the government does not have the legal authority to direct the landowners.

Sayed‑Khaiyum says if the land belongs to the government or it is an i‑Taukei land and if the landowners have given the consent, then only the lease can be granted.