The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) cannot just come and subdivide a land without the knowledge and approval of the landowning unit, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
He said this in response to queries raised by the village headman of Vuniniudrovu, Naitasiri during a talanoa session at the Navuso District School on Thursday afternoon.
Headman Amasai Cou had asked the PM if it was right by law for the TLTB to subdivide a land without the landowning unit’s knowledge.
He said the mataqali Vunimoli of Vuniniudrovu Village was surprised when they found out that TLTB had subdivided 15 blocks of their mataqali land without consulting them.
“We, the mataqali were not made aware that 15 blocks from our land being subdivided,” Mr Cou told the PM.
Mr Bainimarama said the approval was supposed to be given by the landowners.
“TLTB has no authority to just come and subdivide your land without your permission or knowledge,” he said.
“The mataqali will have to give their consent. “If no consent was given by the mataqali then I would like to know why the land has been subdivided.”
Meanwhile, an TLTB official who was present at the talanoa session said money had already been given to the mataqali in payment for that land, but Mr Cou, who claimed to be a member of the landowning mataqali, said nothing of that sort had happened. The PM told the official for TLTB to “investigate this and get back to me immediately”.
