Historic harvest begins for Lakeba pine forests

After decades of anticipation, the people of Lakeba island are set to finally benefit from pine forests planted by their ancestors more than 80 years ago. The commencement of harvesting this week follows the handover of essential logging machinery to Lakeba Nexus Limited.

Fiji Pine Trust Chairman Semi Degei hailed the milestone as the beginning of a new era for Lakeba, resolving years of delays that prevented landowners from accessing the value of their natural resource. Previous harvesting attempts stalled despite significant efforts by the Lakeba Development Committee, with the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupting plans.

The establishment of Lakeba Nexus Limited and enhanced governance structures have now cleared the path for operations. The initial phase will focus on producing pine poles and posts. A planned jetty at Wainiyabia will facilitate the shipping of timber for processing and export, alleviating pressure on the main jetty used for heavy shipments.

The estimated pine resource holds a value of approximately $52 million, representing one of the largest community-owned pine developments in Fiji. Covering more than 1,000 hectares, the plantation, established by the people of Lakeba, has remained largely untouched for generations. Degei expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the Fiji Government, the Ministry of Forestry, Fiji Pine Trust, and Lakeba Nexus, noting the long wait has finally ended with proper governance in place.

This development is anticipated to generate economic opportunities for landowners and could serve as a model for other resource-owning communities seeking greater control and benefits from their natural assets.

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I think they’ve been waiting for a long time, for years, decades, and I think it’s the right time. With due process and governance in place for Lakeba Nexus to come and take over the pine industry here in Lakeba. And we are grateful, the Fiji Pine Trust and its board are grateful that it’s happening this year.