iTaukei Land Trust Board CEO Solomoni Nata is urging landowners to develop a strategy for land whose 99-year leases, established during the colonial period, are soon to expire.
Speaking at the Indigenous Resource Owners Forum in Lami on Tuesday, Mr. Nata emphasized the importance of having a development plan in place. He stated that by the time these leases expire, the implementation phase should already be prepared.
“The 99-year lease that was established during the colonial period is about to expire, plan in advance on how you will utilize it,” said Mr. Nata. “We should start preparing our land for development.”
He advised landowners to be well-prepared so that once the leases expire, they are ready to utilize their land effectively. Mr. Nata warned that without a clear strategy, there would be no defined direction to follow, which could result in the leases being renewed for another 99 years.
“It took a long time for these leases to expire, so why wait another 99 years?” he asked. Mr. Nata stressed the importance of utilizing their land to its full potential.
Mr. Nata concluded by urging landowners to have a well-thought-out plan to ensure they are fully established on their land by the time the leases expire.