The iTaukei community in various regions of Fiji is seeing positive impacts from the Freehold Buyback Scheme, which has been in place for approximately 30 years. This initiative aims to return lands that were taken during colonial rule back to their rightful owners.
Implemented by the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) government three decades ago, the scheme continues to benefit landowners in areas such as Taveuni, Serua, and Naitasiri, who celebrated the return of their ancestral lands this year.
During a recent parliamentary session, Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, outlined the scope and significance of the program, sharing its history and operational details.
The Freehold Buyback Scheme, initiated by the Sitiveni Rabuka-led SVT Government in 1989, was designed to repurchase ancestral lands that had been converted to freehold status. It supports iTaukei landowners who had limited agricultural land registered in their names, allowing them to address the needs of their landowning units.
The initial Cabinet approval for the buyback of freehold land occurred on October 3, 1989, and included several parcels, such as Punia Island and parts of Taveuni. A further Cabinet approval on April 20, 1993, allocated $2 million to facilitate the acquisition of an additional 24 freehold land parcels, which aimed to provide cultivable land to resource owners at no interest.
These lands are distributed across different divisions, with the Northern Division receiving 15 parcels, the Central Division eight, and one in the Western Division.
Voserago explained that the Ministry’s Land Use Division oversees the management and monitoring of this buyback scheme. The government purchases freehold land on the market for the iTaukei landowners, basing the acquisition price on fair market values determined by official valuers.
Payment for the land is handled through interest-free loans, according to the terms outlined in the Sales and Purchase Agreement, which spans 30 years. Once payments are completed, the Director of Lands will transfer ownership of the land to the respective trustees, safeguarding it from alienation or selling, except back to the State.
Voserago noted that if any trustees fail to meet the scheduled payments, the minister holds the authority to terminate the agreement, requiring the trustees to return the land to the Director of Lands, forfeiting all payments made.
According to the 2013 Constitution, any land classified as freehold before the Constitution’s enactment remains freehold, unless sold to or acquired by the State for public purposes. As a result, lands bought back under this scheme were restored to the landowning units as freehold rather than iTaukei Reserve Land.
From the 24 freehold buyback lands, nine landowning units have paid their dues in full, returning $1.7 million to the State. A total of seven landowning units have fully completed their payments and received their land.
Voserago also indicated that two additional units have paid their debts, but their lands are yet to be transferred. The ministry is monitoring 15 landowning units that have partially paid, with an outstanding total exceeding $2 million.
To enhance loan repayment, the ministry has implemented several measures, including ongoing support and advice to landowning units, a Joint Venture Initiative to speed up loan repayments, and leasing unserviced accounts to generate income for the units.
Currently, the ministry leases 11 freehold buyback lands to assist those who have defaulted on payments and provides additional support in mapping boundaries and title transfers.
Despite a 37.5 percent success rate, with nine out of 24 schemes fully paid, the program has significantly benefited the traditional landowners, fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment, and promoted equality in land access.
Voserago urges beneficiaries to maximize the potential of their land for productive use and to engage in income-generating activities that will benefit current and future generations.