A representative of 18 landowning units in Nadroga has urged the Government to conduct a survey of their land prior to the upcoming harvest of mahogany trees. Jone Waqanidrola from Baravi stated that landowners have been underpaid by the Government since they planted mahogany in 1987, with an agreement permitting harvesting after 36 years.

Despite their requests for a government surveyor, the landowners faced repeated failures in receiving a response, prompting them to engage a private surveyor. Waqanidrola highlighted discrepancies in lease payments, revealing that despite being advised to receive compensation for approximately 280,000 hectares, the actual leased land amounted to only about 100,000 hectares. The landowners received a mere $600 every six months over the past 30 years, a figure that Waqanidrola argues is grossly inadequate given the maturity of the trees.

The ongoing situation echoes broader concerns expressed within Fiji’s mahogany sector, where landowners feel sidelined and undercompensated. Recently, the Fiji Mahogany Trust Board emphasized the necessity of a review of the Fiji Mahogany Act, with Chairman Sakiasi Rokovucago vocalizing similar frustrations. The delay in reviewing the act has left landowners concerned about their rights and financial returns from the mahogany industry, as they await promises of governmental action lodged by the People’s Alliance party nearly two years ago.

Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, has assured landowners that their voices will be included in the review process, which is set to engage stakeholders through public consultations. This step is viewed as a significant opportunity for landowners, encouraging participation and aiming to establish a more equitable framework in relation to resource management and financial compensation.

As the review process for the Fiji Mahogany Act moves forward with anticipated presentations to Parliament by mid-March, hope remains that these dialogues will result in meaningful changes that better serve Fiji’s landowning units and enhance the mahogany industry’s governance.

In summary, the plea from Nadroga landowners for a land survey and fair compensation reflects ongoing challenges within the mahogany sector in Fiji, highlighting the urgent need for transparency and equitable treatment. The anticipated review of related legislation offers a promising pathway towards addressing longstanding issues and fostering a fairer collaboration among all stakeholders.