Members of the Nabukarabe clan, residing in Nakama Village, Labasa, are calling for inclusion in discussions surrounding further developments at the Labasa Airport in Waiqele. Their demand arises from claims that they have consistently been excluded from consultations by the Government, Fiji Airports, the Ministry of Lands, and the iTaukei Lands Trust Board regarding planned extensions to the airport, which partially occupies their ancestral land.
Kalesi Volatabu, secretary of the Mataqali Nabukarabe, expressed frustrations over what they perceive as a tokenistic approach to their inclusion in airport-related decision-making. “The airport leases date back to colonial times, with arrangements made without any input from us,” she stated, highlighting the lack of transparency concerning lease conditions and payments.
Despite the clan managing approximately 200 active leases in Labasa, details on the nature of these agreements remain nebulous, particularly regarding whether they fall under commercial or industrial categories. This lack of clarity has left them feeling uninformed and disenfranchised as developments continue on their land without their consent or knowledge.
Volatabu demanded a comprehensive audit of their land to better understand what activities are ongoing and how they can be fairly compensated. The clan’s aspirations include not only financial restitution but also employment opportunities for local youth, as they currently face high unemployment rates within their community. “We want to know how these developments benefit us,” she asserted, emphasizing their desire to participate in future conversations related to their land.
In addition to the airport, the clan is also embroiled in a dispute with the Water Authority of Fiji concerning government infrastructure that runs across their land, including the Nasarava water catchment. The Nabukarabe clan, comprised of 345 registered members, has previously raised concerns about the lack of communication regarding leases and administrative oversights, but their issues have often been overlooked.
They own a total of 3,890 acres in Labasa, with around 1,100 acres currently leased through the iTaukei Land Trust Board. The clan has urged for immediate action regarding the airport leases, demanding a resolution to their concerns and emphasizing that delays could negatively impact both the local community and the ongoing airport developments.
In alignment with these developments, the government has allocated $8.57 million for the extension of Labasa Airport, aimed at improving runway safety and replacing the aging Adi Laisa Terminal built in 1973. The new terminal, designed to enhance customer experience, will feature modern amenities, including a baggage carousel and air-conditioning, while runway strengthening is set to take place from February 16 to March 27, although without an extension of the existing runway.
The Nabukarabe clan continues to advocate for recognition and dialogue, hoping that their voices will finally be heard in the ongoing development processes affecting their land.
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