The Fiji Mahogany Trust Board is calling for an urgent reassessment of the Fiji Mahogany Act, following concerns raised by landowners over ongoing delays in the review process. Chairman Sakiasi Rokovucago pointed out the frustrations of landowning units, who have been awaiting changes for a significant 15 years. While The People’s Alliance party indicated in their 100-day manifesto a promise for swift action, almost two years have passed without substantial progress.
Rokovucago emphasized that this lag in the review has disadvantaged landowners, as it has diminished their standing within their respective units. The Cabinet has recently approved a review of the Mahogany Industry Development Act of 2010 and the Licensing and Branding Act of 2011. A Mahogany Industry Taskforce Review Committee has been established to direct this process and plans to include landowners through public consultations, with the review expected to be presented to Parliament by mid-March.
Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, assured the involvement of landowning units in the review process and clarified that the mahogany industry operates independently under the Ministry of Public Enterprise. She outlined that the intent behind the review is partly to address issues related to price regulation, with some stakeholders desiring a shift away from council regulation.
This ongoing push for a review reflects a broader hope for empowerment within the landowning units, fostering a system that better serves their interests. As the review process unfolds, there remains optimism that it could lead to improvements in management practices and economic benefits for those directly affected by the mahogany industry.
In a hopeful turn, the collaborative approach being taken in public consultations may pave the way for a more equitable and effective management structure that prioritizes the needs of landowners.
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