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🇫🇯 Fiji /Culture & Society

Momi land dispute nears decision

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) aims to resolve the long-standing Momi land swap dispute by either finalizing the original agreement or returning the land to its traditional owners.
  • The 2006 land swap, intended for the Momi Bay resort development, stalled because the replacement land was transferred to the Fiji National Provident Fund before the final stage, and Fiji's constitution now complicates direct conversion of land types.
  • Landowners desire the original swap's completion or the return of their iTaukei land, while also receiving benefits like lease payments, scholarships, and business opportunities linked to the resort.

The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) is actively seeking a resolution to the protracted Momi land swap dispute, aiming to either complete the original deal or return the land to its traditional owners. The board is collaborating with the Ministry of Lands and the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to find a legal pathway forward.

The iTaukei Land Trust Board says it wants to end the long-running Momi land swap dispute by either completing the original deal or returning the land to its traditional owners.

— iTaukei Land Trust BoardStating the board's objective regarding the land dispute.

The land swap was initially approved by the Cabinet in 2006 to facilitate the development of the Momi Bay resort, now the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. The agreement involved exchanging 68.7 hectares of iTaukei land owned by Tokatoka Nasau for an equivalent amount of freehold land. However, the deal was never finalized after the replacement land was transferred to the FNPF, leaving the final steps incomplete.

The deal was never completed after the replacement land was transferred to FNPF, leaving the final stage of the swap unfinished.

— TLTBExplaining the reason for the deal's incompletion.

TLTB highlighted that Fiji's current constitution presents a significant hurdle, preventing the direct conversion of freehold land into iTaukei land, thus complicating the process. The landowners have consistently expressed their preference for the original land swap to be honored. If this is not feasible, they want their original iTaukei land returned.

Fiji’s Constitution now prevents freehold land from being directly converted into iTaukei land, making the process more difficult.

— TLTBDetailing a constitutional obstacle to the land swap.

For years, TLTB has strived to resolve this issue, submitting a proposal to the government last year to reverse the land swap if it could not be completed. The board noted that landowners have already received over $5.2 million in lease payments, scholarships, and community projects. They also continue to receive annual lease rent and benefit from business and employment opportunities associated with the resort.

They believe the original land swap should be completed, or their original iTaukei land should be returned if that is no longer possible.

— LandownersExpressing the landowners' desired outcomes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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