Close to 30 families in Veikoba, Nasinu ordered by High Court to vacate land before the 14th of March

Close to 30 families residing in Veikoba, Nasinu for over 30 years have been ordered by the Suva High Court to vacate the land by or before the 14th of next month.

The i‑Taukei Land Trust Board had filed a writ in court seeking immediate eviction of Jimaima Ledua and others from the land in Veikoba settlement to allow the land for development purposes for the benefits of the landowning unit members of Mataqali Naulukaroa of Kalabu Village.

In its submissions, TLTB had stated that Jimaima Ledua and others have not proved the rights to possession of the land adding that it appears they were only dealing with one member of the landowning unit.

In his judgment, Justice David Alfred has also ordered that Jimaima Ledua and others have to pay TLTB $1,000 for costs.

Justice Alfred says Jimaima Ledua and others claim for declarations to a legal right and to an equitable right to remain on the land has failed.

He says there is no evidence that either the Mataqali as a whole or the TLTB had ever asked Jimaima Ledua and others to come onto the land and build thereon.

Justice Alfred has stated that he is satisfied and finds that   TLTB’s plan to develop the land through the Housing Authority of Fiji is for the benefit of the iTaukei landowners, the Mataqali Naulukaroa and has thus complied with the mandatory requirement.