It is very mischievous of the Opposition to say that landowners will lose their land – Koya

Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya says it is very mischievous of the Opposition to say that landowners will lose their land or lose their land rent or premium because of amendments to the iTaukei Land Trust Act.

While speaking in support of the 2021-2022 Budget Amendment Bills, Koya says he is urging and pleading to the Members of the Opposition to please read the Constitution to all members of the public, not just the iTaukei so that everybody in Fiji understands and they do not use it to sway political opinion.

He says all Bill 17 is proposing to do is to remove administrative burdens to enable a legal lessee to continue with his or her investment.

Koya adds these processes are actually cumbersome and now irrelevant procedures, but it does not take away iTaukei land and it also does not affect the ownership.