SODELPA to refer all Fijian land issues to i-Taukei Land Trust Board

The Social Democratic and Liberal Party said that they will return all authority for dealing with indigenous Fijian land issues to the i-Taukei Land Trust Board and abolish the Land Use Decree.

Speaking at the announcement of the proposed candidates for the party, SODELPA leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa claims that although the Prime Minister is vigorously denying this, the Decree gives dictatorial authority to the Prime Minister.

Kepa said the landowners have no right to challenge his decisions in court if they feel those decisions are not in the best interest of their mataqali.

She said SODELPA will review the policy on landowner consultations.

It is stated in the Land Use Decree that 60% of the landowning unit has to give their consent to deposit their land in the Land Bank.

The land lease rental is based on current market rates and there is no administration fees charged on the lease income which means the landowners get the full lease rental income.

Meanwhile, 75 percent of the members of parliament and 75 percent of registered voters in the country have to vote for any changes to the 2013 constitution which includes the sections dealing with protection of i-Taukei land.

This amendment process is clearly stated in the constitution which means that any changes dealing with land needs to get the green light of three quarters of parliament and a national referendum has to come back with a result of three quarters of the registered number of voters agreeing to the change.

Section 28 of the constitution says that the ownership of i-Taukei land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and i-Taukei land shall not be permanently alienated whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange except to the state when it is needed for a public purpose.

It is further stated that any i-Taukei land acquired by the state for a public purpose after the commencement of the constitution or under any written law shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the state.

Leader of the FijiFirst, Voreqe Bainimarama said people should not listen to politicians who are spreading misleading information about land and other issues.