Fiji’s Mahogany Act: Will Change Finally Come?

The Fiji Mahogany Trust Board of Trustees is calling for a swift review of the Fiji Mahogany Act due to ongoing frustrations from landowners over the lengthy delays. Chairman Sakiasi Rokovucago emphasized that the issue had been highlighted in The People’s Alliance party’s manifesto, which promised action within the first 100 days of their administration. However, nearly two years have passed without significant progress, leaving landowning units in limbo.

Rokovucago expressed discontent, stating, “We’ve waited 15 years for this Act to be reviewed. The delay is detrimental to us as landowners.”

In October, the Cabinet announced a formal review of the Mahogany Industry Development Act 2010 and the Licensing and Branding Act 2011, which will be overseen by the Mahogany Industry Taskforce Review Committee. This committee plans to engage landowners through public consultations, with the hope of presenting the review findings to Parliament by mid-March.

He reiterated that the committee should also consider key components from the repealed Mahogany Act 2003 in their evaluation. Alitia Bainivalu, the Minister for Fisheries and Forests and chair of the Mahogany Industry Council, assured stakeholders that landowners would be involved throughout the review process. She explained the governance framework under which the industry operates, indicating that forestry’s role is limited due to the existing legislative structure.

The minister acknowledged that the intent behind the review is to reassess the current regulation landscape, particularly concerning the pricing of mahogany logs, which is currently managed by the council.

In summary, the ongoing push for a review of the Fiji Mahogany Act highlights the frustration among landowners who feel sidelined. The government’s commitment to public consultations signals a positive step towards addressing these grievances and ensuring that the interests of landowners are considered moving forward. This kind of engagement could pave the way for a more equitable and efficient management of the mahogany industry, benefiting all stakeholders involved.