The i-Taukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has officially confirmed the ownership and allotment of three significant parcels of land in the Province of Lomaiviti. Earlier this week, TLTB verified that the lands named Nasinu, Lot 53, comprising 89 acres, and Nukulekaleka, Lot 51, spanning 39 acres, are now owned by the Mataqali Bete of Tovulailai Village. Additionally, TLTB has allocated Draiba, Lot 26, with an area of 59 acres, directly to the village of Draiba and its inhabitants.

The Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, emphasized that one of TLTB’s primary responsibilities is to manage the reservation and allotment processes of extinct Mataqali land, as outlined in sections 15 and 19 of the i-Taukei Land Trust Act 1940. Vasu noted that formal notifications were sent to the local chiefs, the Turaga ni Mataqali of Mataqali Bete and the Turaga ni Koro of Draiba Village, to inform them of these ownership confirmations and to provide the necessary documents validating this process.

This decisive action aligns with TLTB’s broader strategy aimed at restoring land ownership to native landowners. Reports highlight that TLTB has previously returned 91 percent of Schedule A and B lands, further indicating a commitment to rectify historical injustices surrounding land ownership. This is promising news for traditional clans in Fiji, as it reinforces community bonds and enhances livelihoods through the lawful recognition of their ancestral lands.

TLTB’s efforts contribute not only to the empowerment of the i-Taukei community but also enhance economic development and support cultural heritage and traditional land management practices. As families regain access and control over their ancestral lands, the potential for revitalizing community-driven initiatives and fostering sustainable land use practices increases, ultimately bringing hope for a more equitable future among the indigenous people of Fiji.