Landowners in Namosi, opposing mining activities on their territory, have criticized Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, for being ‘unprofessional.’ Their comments were in reaction to Vosarogo’s questioning of the authority of Sipiriano Nariva, the chairman of the Lomani Au Maroroi Au (LAMA) organization, within the iTaukei governance framework.

LAMA issued a statement declaring that Vosarogo’s remarks reveal a disconnect from the community, emphasizing that they prefer consultation with local landowners rather than exclusively with Tui Namosi, to move forward with development plans. They insisted that neither Vosarogo nor Tui Namosi are the rightful owners of the land targeted for mining, pointing out that Nariva is empowered to represent the voices of the local landowners.

The organization called upon Vosarogo to engage with all landowners collectively, rather than just a select group. They noted that he has not visited Namosi to gather community feedback, despite claiming to be informed through his relationship with Tui Namosi. LAMA reiterated their objection to the renewal of the mining license, distinguishing their position from that of Nabukebuke and encouraging Vosarogo to meet with them instead.

In response to the backlash, Vosarogo mentioned he would address these issues in a meeting scheduled with the Mataqali Nabukebuke in mid-2025.

This ongoing dialogue highlights a significant issue regarding community engagement in development plans, suggesting a need for more inclusive discussions that reflect the voices of all stakeholders. A hopeful takeaway from this situation is the potential for a more collaborative approach to land and resource management in the future, ultimately leading to outcomes that respect and prioritize the rights and wishes of the local landowners.