More than 30 families residing in Veikoba, Nasinu for over 30 years are now awaiting a court judgement to decide their fate as they have been told by the i-Taukei Land Trust Board to leave the land.
TLTB has 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 has 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.
The TLTB has further stated that all i-Taukei land in Fiji is registered and owned collectively by the mataqali (landowning unit) or Yavusa and no i-Taukei land is owned individually.
The lawyer for Jimaima Ledua and others, Romanu Vananalagi has told the court that the defendants had acquired the land from the headman of the mataqali Qalikoura, Samuela Qaliduadua through the i-Taukei traditional method by presenting tabua, gifts, mats and kerosene.
Vananalagi says these people were permitted to occupy the land and based on the arrangement, they built their homes on the land and raised their children and grandchildren and installed electricity and water.
They are also asking TLTB to compensate each defendant with $50,000 if they will be removed from the land.
In his submission, Vananalagi has also used Article 35 of the 2013 Constitution which says that the State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to accessible and adequate housing and sanitation and if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that resources are not available.
High Court Judge Justice David Alfred will deliver his judgement on notice.
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