138,899 individual landowning unit members who have individual bank accounts will get a share from the funds collected by the Committee For Better Utilisation Of Land.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced this during the public consultation with the Itaukei Land Trust Board and sugar industry stakeholders in Taleinavuruvuru, Sigatoka, and also revealed that a total of 1,479 iTaukei landowning units whose land lots are leased out for agricultural purposes will receive $3.72 million.
Bainimarama says since 2010, government has paid out more than $50 million under the Committee For Better Utilisation Of Land and this has directly impacted on the renewal of land leases from 47 percent in 2010 to over 80 percent in 2017.
He adds that iTaukei landowners’ rights are protected under the constitution.
Bainimarama also confirms that iTaukei Land Trust Board has also facilitated the return of Schedule A and Schedule B land to iTaukei landowners who need them.
He says this process took a slow start but now has been fast tracked and is near completion.
Bainimarama says TLTB has allotted 1,074 parcels or over 90% of Schedule A land and 87% of Schedule B land to iTaukei landowners.
The Prime Minister says this facilitation has led to more iTaukei land that was held under the Crown prior to 2003 to be reverted to iTaukei landowners.
He says this will allow for more land to be used for sugarcane farming and other developments.
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