A LANDOWNER of Vugalei in Tailevu has proposed that the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) should pay the rent arrears of their tenants.
As part of his submissions to the Constitution Commission, villager Filimoni Tikonaburebure said nine of his tenants have run away since 2009 leaving behind arrears of $16,000..
He pleaded with the commission for a provision in the new constitution stating the TLTB should be responsible for settling the rent arrears owed to landowners.
Speaking in the iTaukei language, Mr Tikonaburebure said he had been advised by the board several times that they would monitor this tenants through the Data Bureau.
He informed the commission he was not aware of the Data Bureau and what role it played.
Mr Tikonaburebure said TLTB had promised to look after their land and the money generated from it, but they failed to consider the plight of the landowners under such circumstances.
Other villagers shared similar sentiments, saying the TLTB had earned so much money from native lands but tended to ignore the landowners over this ongoing issue.