The iTaukei community in various regions of Fiji is seeing positive impacts from the Freehold Buyback Scheme, which was established around 30 years ago to return lands expropriated during colonial rule. This initiative was introduced by the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) government. Celebrations took place this year among landowners in Taveuni, Serua, and Naitasiri as their ancestral lands were returned to them.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, emphasized the importance of this scheme during a recent Parliament session, outlining its background and the processes involved. The Freehold Buyback Scheme was initiated in 1989 under the leadership of Sitiveni Rabuka. Its purpose was to repurchase land that had been alienated as freehold, providing support to iTaukei landowners with limited agricultural land.
The first batch of land for buyback was approved by the Cabinet on October 3, 1989, including parcels such as Punia Island in Vanuabalavu and various sites in Taveuni and the Northern Division. Further financial support of $2 million was allocated in 1993 to facilitate the purchase of an additional 24 parcels of freehold land to assist landless resource owners.
Mr. Vosarogo explained that the Land Use Division of the ministry is tasked with managing this buyback scheme. The government buys freehold land on behalf of iTaukei landowners at a fair market price, with financing provided through interest-free loans as specified in the Sales and Purchase Agreement. Payments are scheduled over a 30-year period, after which land ownership is transferred to the trustees.
As of now, nine land-owning units have completed their payments, yielding $1.7 million back to the State. Seven of these units have received their transferred land. Additionally, two more units have fulfilled their financial obligations but are yet to have their land transferred.
The ministry is also working with 15 units that have partially paid, with an outstanding balance over $2 million, and is implementing measures to enhance loan repayments. These measures include advising and assisting landowning units, facilitating joint ventures to expedite loan repayments, and leasing land to help those with unpaid accounts.
Despite a success rate of 37.5%, where nine out of 24 land parcels have been fully paid, the buyback scheme has provided significant benefits to traditional landowners, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. Mr. Vosarogo has urged beneficiaries to make the most of their land for productive purposes, promoting income-generating initiatives for sustainable development in their communities.