The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has disbursed $100 million in premium payments to 5,000 landowning units over the past two years, yet minimal development has occurred within these communities. TLTB regional manager for the North, Bese Buinimasi, clarified that this amount pertains solely to premium payments and not lease money.
In 2022, the organization provided over $100 million in leases to landowners, with the following year seeing a rise to approximately $120 million. During a consultation held by the Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd, Buinimasi stated that TLTB aims to distribute $130 million in leases to landowners this year.
Despite the substantial funds allocated annually to landowners, he noted that iTaukei communities have little to show for it in terms of development. He highlighted the necessity for a change in the spending habits of these communities, emphasizing that they are fortunate to own a significant amount of land compared to indigenous peoples in other Pacific Island nations.
Buinimasi pointed out that iTaukei people own 91% of the land in Fiji, while the State holds 4%, and the remainder is designated as freehold land.