With the recent Cabinet approval on Land Use Decree, Government is adamant it will create access to land, says the Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua.
At the USP Fiji Economy Update 2010 today, Col. Tikoduadua presented a paper on the ‘Land Reforms in Fiji’ to the various academics, business representatives and NGOs on how Government is addressing the issue of land reform.
Permanent Secretary Prime Minister’s office Colonel Pio Tikoduadua with other speakers at the Fiji Economy Update
“These are unutilized lands that would be put to production use – the Decree allows Government to establish a Land Use Unit within the Ministry of Lands and Survey, and this Land Use Unit will issue leases for a period of not more than ninety nine (99) years.”
Col. Tikoduadua said that the Land Use Unit is similar to the ‘Land Bank’ to make available land for use particularly native lands.
“Traditional landowning units can approach Government to lease their lands and it will totally depend on them if they want to lease it.”
He said the Decree provides leasing of native land to the State which the state can sub-lease it.
It also facilitates a fairer return to the landowners and provide security of tenure.