TWO landowning units in Nadroga claim they were not consulted in the extension of leases for more than 1000 acres of land used to grow mahogany.
The landowning units from Balenabelo and Biausevu villages along the Coral Coast say they leased their land more than 30 years ago for the mahogany planting program and were expecting the leases to expire in less than six years.
The landowners claimed that upon enquiring about the status of the two leases late last year, they were told the leases had been extended for another 99 years.
They claim they were not consulted.
Questions on the landowners’ claims sent to the iTaukei Land Trust Board last week and follow-up telephone calls remain unanswered.
For Biausevu Village, members of the mataqali Ketenatukani said more than 840 acres under mahogany was given another 99-year term without their knowledge.
In Balenabelo, turaga ni mataqali of Noimadu, Isimeli Vatunisolo said he was the last surviving member that had signed the original lease in the early 1980s.
The 65-year-old said he only found out about the lease extension last year.
“I knew that it was going to be expiring soon so I wanted to see the status of the lease,” he said.
“When I looked at the papers with the iTaukei Lands Trust Board, I found there was a totally new lease and it was extended for another 99 years.
“They told me that the new lease term officially started in January this year.”
He said he was disappointed with the new conditions under the new lease.
“Firstly, they didn’t come to us to explain or discuss the new lease. We had no idea about it. I have more than 200 acres of mahogany plantation just sitting there.
“Now I won’t be able to touch it for another 99 years.
“I was also told that I could not touch any other plantation within that boundary. My brother has a farm on that land. Will he be able to get food from that farm?
“I’m an old man now. I don’t have many years left. I want to make sure that my family and my mataqali’s future is secure.”
