The iTaukei community in various regions of Fiji is reaping the benefits of the Freehold Buyback Scheme, which was established approximately 30 years ago to return lands expropriated during colonial rule. This initiative was introduced by the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) government in 1989.
This year, landowners in areas such as Taveuni, Serua, and Naitasiri expressed their joy and celebrated the return of their ancestral lands. Filimoni Vosarogo, the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, emphasized the importance of the scheme in a recent parliamentary session, discussing its history and implications.
The Freehold Buyback Scheme, initiated by the SVT government led by Sitiveni Rabuka, aimed to repurchase ancestral lands that had been alienated as freehold, assisting iTaukei landowners who had limited agricultural land. The first tranche of freehold buyback land was approved on October 3, 1989, encompassing several parcels, including Punia Island and locations in Taveuni, Cakaudrove, Macuata, and Naitasiri.
On April 20, 1993, an additional $2 million was allocated by Cabinet to support further initiatives, allowing for the formal purchase of 24 parcels of land to aid landless resource owners in securing land interest-free. Among these, 15 freehold buybacks are in the Northern Division, eight in the Central Division, and one in the Western Division.
Mr. Vosarogo explained that the ministry’s Land Use Division oversees the administration and monitoring of the buyback scheme. The government buys freehold land on behalf of iTaukei landowners at fair market prices determined by registered valuators, with the financial transactions backed by interest-free loans.
The sales and purchase agreements stipulate that the government will loan funds for land purchases, which must be repaid over a 30-year period. Upon completion of payments, ownership of the land will be transferred to the trustees in freehold status. Should trustees default on their payments, the government retains the right to rescind the agreement and reclaim the land, forfeiting all payments made.
Mr. Vosarogo noted that according to Section 29.5 of the 2013 Constitution, freehold land remains such, even if sold, unless acquired by the state for public purposes. This means that parcels bought back through the scheme revert to landowning units as freehold land, rather than iTaukei Reserve Land.
Among the 24 freehold buyback lands, nine landowning units have fully settled their payments, resulting in a return of $1.7 million to the state. Currently, seven units have completed their payments and have had their land transferred. There are two additional units that have settled their debts but have yet to receive their land.
The ministry continues to monitor the remaining 15 units, which have an outstanding debt of over $2 million. To enhance loan repayment, the ministry has implemented measures to collaborate with these units, including ongoing advice and assistance, the introduction of a Joint Venture Initiative, and leasing arrangements to facilitate payments.
Despite the overall success rate of 37.5%, Mr. Vosarogo highlighted that the buyback scheme has significantly benefited traditional landowners, instilling a sense of belonging, pride, security, and empowerment. He urged beneficiaries to utilize their land productively, aiming for sustainable income-generating activities for current and future generations.