The government has affirmed that no landowner will be permitted to close off any catchment area, as reiterated by Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka. This declaration comes in response to the landowners of Nasealevu, located in Macuata, Vanua Levu, who threatened to restrict access to a vital water catchment serving approximately 40,000 residents in the Labasa area if their grievances were not addressed.
Minister Ditoka emphasized that the government holds legal leases for all catchment areas and warned that legal action could be pursued if landowners proceeded with their threats. However, he expressed a preference to resolve the matter amicably rather than escalate it to litigation. “Nobody can do that,” Ditoka said, indicating the seriousness of such actions.
Ditoka mentioned that he would need to review the letters from the landowners that detail their complaints to understand their positions better. “We will see what their complaints are and we will take it from there,” he added.
This situation mirrors recent dialogues with landowners concerning the Nasealevu and Viriqilai water catchments, where the minister previously addressed claims regarding the government’s legal agreements. He clarified that the actual size of the catchment areas was not as large as the landowners had presumed, which helped alleviate some of their concerns. The government remains committed to infrastructure improvements that have long been overlooked, aiming for cooperative engagement to elevate local conditions.
Minister Ditoka’s recent commitment to review and address landowners’ grievances reflects a hopeful trajectory towards collaborative governance and improved community relations, suggesting a potential pathway toward positive outcomes for both the government and local communities. By prioritizing dialogue and engagement, there is optimism for a resolution beneficial to all parties involved.
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