A significant development has emerged regarding a key land lease within the boundaries of Labasa Airport, as it has been confirmed that the lease has expired. Solomoni Nata, the chief executive officer of the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB), stated that the lease for the land at the airport’s entry point is currently being processed as a development lease for the landowners’ trustees.
The land in question belongs to the Nabukarabe clan of Nakama Village, and TLTB is actively consulting with the clan to move forward. Nata mentioned that two consultations were held last year with the landowners, on August 20 and December 16, facilitated by TLTB’s regional manager, Isoa Kasainaseva, along with representatives from the Ministry of Lands and Airports Fiji’s general manager, Salote Delailoloma.
This initiative marks a change in approach, emphasizing the importance of treating landowners as business partners rather than just recipients of lease income. Nata remarked that the focus now is on involving landowners in discussions regarding lease terms and business conditions.
Kalesi Volatabu, the secretary of the clan’s committee, confirmed that progress is being made. “The offer was sent to us last year, and this was reiterated during our recent meeting with TLTB,” she said. She expressed satisfaction with the ongoing discussions: “We are happy that we finally have a seat at the table to engage with relevant authorities, especially since many landowners often feel excluded from development conversations.”
Fiji Airports is also taking proactive steps in addressing landowners’ concerns, committing to open dialogue and collaborative work with them to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes. They emphasize the importance of keeping landowners informed and respectfully involved as the project advances.
The Nabukarabe clan has a significant landholdings of 3,890 acres in Labasa, with approximately 1,100 acres currently leased under the iTaukei Land Trust Board. It’s worth noting that runway strengthening at Labasa Airport is slated to occur from February 16 to March 27, during which time the airport will be closed. This development is a hopeful indicator of progress and collaboration in the relationship between landowners and airport authorities, ensuring everyone’s needs are addressed as improvements are implemented.
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