The government has reaffirmed that landowners will not be allowed to restrict access to catchment areas, a statement made by Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka. This announcement comes as landowners from Nasealevu in Macuata, Vanua Levu, threatened to close off access to an essential water catchment supplying around 40,000 residents in Labasa, should their grievances remain unaddressed.
Minister Ditoka highlighted that the government possesses legal leases for all catchment areas, indicating that legal action could ensue if landowners follow through on their threats. However, he expressed a strong preference for resolving the situation amicably rather than resorting to court. “Nobody can do that,” he stated, emphasizing the gravity of their claims.
To better understand the landowners’ concerns, Minister Ditoka stated he would review their letters outlining their complaints. “We will see what their complaints are and we will take it from there,” he noted.
This issue resembles recent discussions with landowners regarding the Nasealevu and Viriqilai water catchments, wherein the minister previously clarified the actual dimensions of the catchment areas, which were smaller than the landowners had believed. This clarification helped ease some tensions.
The government’s commitment to addressing the landowners’ grievances indicates a hopeful direction towards collaborative governance and improved community relations. By fostering dialogue rather than confrontation, there is optimism for a positive resolution that could benefit both the government and the local communities involved. The focus on cooperative engagement also suggests a long-overdue investment in local infrastructure improvements, which could elevate living conditions in the area.
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