Indian High Commission is no longer interested in leasing Botanical Garden land - Usamate

Minister for Lands, Jone Usamate has confirmed that the Indian High Commission is no longer interested in leasing the Botanical Garden land.

Usamate highlighted this after questions were raised in parliament by SODELPA MP Ro Flipe Tuisawau about the land that was supposed to be leased for the new Indian High Commission.

He says government had thought to give it to the Indian High Commission but they want a bigger piece of land.

Usamate says the provision to revert this land which was acquired by the State is entrenched in Section 8 of the State Lands Act.

He says the Act states that any iTaukei land which has been acquired by the state for public purposes under the provision of the state’s acquisition of lands or any other written law, and is no longer required for such purposes, the Minister after consultations with cabinet may by order declare such land as iTaukei land.

Usamate says there is a possibility of them taking this up.