Landowners in Fiji voiced their dissatisfaction with long-term land leases during a consultation aimed at reviewing the Land Use Act 2010. The event, held at the Civic Centre in Suva, highlighted their call for increased control, transparency, and better financial compensation for the use of their lands.
Marica Seniloli Sokotaka Hussein, a lawyer advocating for these landowners, expressed a strong desire for them to reclaim control over their land once their current leases expire. She underscored the importance of requiring government consent from landowners before any automatic renewal of 99-year leases, a practice historically conducted without sufficient consultation. “The landowners want their land back,” Hussein stressed, advocating for a system wherein the government must secure permission from landowners at lease expiration, rather than extending leases unwittingly.
This call for change stems from a long-standing dissatisfaction regarding financial returns on their land. Many landowners feel that inadequate compensation has affected their economic standing within local communities. Hussein pointed out their struggles with poverty, emphasizing that despite land being their most valuable asset, it often fails to provide the anticipated economic benefits, leaving them disconnected from the profits generated from developments on their property.
Furthermore, she noted a prevalent lack of awareness and understanding among landowners about the potential of their land, advocating for education on how to negotiate favorable agreements. She urged the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) to take the lead in educating landowners about the value of their land and the returns they can negotiate.
Dr. Joeli Varo, the Land Commissioner, acknowledged the challenges facing landowners, particularly the lack of capital for independent land development. He described the role of the newly established Land Use Unit, which aims to empower landowners by enabling them to deposit their land for government-led development. This initiative offers free land evaluations and access to professional expertise from various fields, including engineering and architecture.
“Once land is deposited, development begins immediately,” Dr. Varo assured, highlighting that this collaborative effort aims to ensure landowners benefit from the burgeoning development on their lands.
While a regulatory framework supporting these initiatives is in place under the Land Use Act, Dr. Varo noted ongoing enhancements to the unit’s capacity to amplify benefits for landowners from development projects. This consultation is part of a wider national review of the Land Use Act 2010, where landowners are increasingly pushing for reforms that prioritize consent, equity, and substantial economic returns.
As landowners assert their rights and seek greater control and benefits from their land, the landscape of landownership in Fiji appears to be evolving, potentially leading to a more equitable future for all stakeholders involved.