Government wants to unlock further potential for i-Taukei landowners

The President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the government wants to unlock the further potential for i-Taukei landowners to generate wealth from their land, not only to benefit themselves but the entire economy.

While speaking to the 50 parliamentarians, Ratu Epeli said that $10 million will be set aside to help the i-Taukei use their land for subdivision and development.

The President said for too long, landowners have leased out land for others to develop and make huge profits.

He said the government will encourage landowners to become landlords while reaping direct commercial benefits from their land.

The funding will be made available as grants to assist landowners to meet development costs, such as the provision of electricity, water and roads.

The Head of State further said that the government is committed to ensuring that the i-Taukei Land Trust Board performs at the highest possible level for the benefit of ordinary Fijians.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said it will continue to reform the TLTB to make it more efficient and address issues of corruption within the organisation, in particular where landowners have been deprived of their say in the renewal of leases.

It will also ensure that members of landowning units do not have to pay an application fee when they lease their own land. 

The President has also revealed that the government will revise the National Minimum Wage Rate upwards in line with the recommendation of the Reddy Report to a new rate of $2.32 an hour from 1st July, 2015. 

He also said that the government will increase the electricity subsidy for low-income families from the current 75 kilowatts per hour to 85 kilowatts per hour.

This will provide immediate relief to thousands of households.

As announced in the FijiFirst manifesto, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau highlighted that the government will provide 91,250 litres of water free of charge per year to Fijian households earning less than a total income of $30,000.

The calculation is based on an average of 5 members per household and takes into account a World Health Organization report that estimates that an individual requires 50 litres of water each day.

It has also been revealed that the government will extend the current free education for primary and secondary students to pre-school students from the beginning of the second term in 2015.

He said the government will also provide 250ml of milk a day to children enrolled in class 1 at all primary schools starting from term 1 of 2015.

Click Here for more photos