Clan members of Nabukarabe from Nakama Village in Labasa are urging for their voices to be heard in discussions about the future of Labasa Airport, located in Waiqele. They assert that the government and relevant authorities, including Fiji Airports, the Ministry of Lands, and the iTaukei Lands Trust Board, have not consulted them regarding the airport extensions that directly affect their ancestral land.
Kalesi Volatabu, secretary of Mataqali Nabukarabe, expressed disappointment over the perceived tokenistic involvement of the community in conversations about the airport’s development. She emphasized that the airport leases were granted to the Ministry of Lands during colonial times, and since then, developments have progressed without any input from the actual landowners. “Despite reaching out to Fiji Airports and the Ministry of Lands two years ago, we are still waiting for a response,” Ms. Volatabu conveyed.
The mataqali oversees around 200 active leases in Labasa but struggles with understanding the terms of these leases, some of which trace back to colonial eras. Volatabu pointed out a significant lack of clarity about the nature of these leased properties, whether they are intended for commercial or industrial use, which creates a disconnect between the landowners and the ongoing developments on their land.
In light of these challenges, the community is requesting a thorough audit of their lands to clarify the current activities and seek fair compensation for the use of their ancestral property. They also express a strong desire for productive dialogue aimed at creating job opportunities for the youth in the village, addressing the high unemployment rates afflicting their community.
Additionally, the Nabukarabe clan is grappling with other issues, including a conflict related to the Nasarava water catchment managed by the Water Authority of Fiji, which also intersects their land. With 345 members in the mataqali, they have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding unclear lease agreements and administrative matters, yet their grievances have been largely ignored.
The community urgently calls for action regarding the airport leases, as delays could hinder local welfare and the success of ongoing developments. The Labasa Airport expansion, an important Government project valued at $8.57 million, aims to enhance the existing runway and replace the outdated Adi Laisa Terminal, which has been operational since 1973. Plans for a new, modern terminal feature improved amenities, while the strengthening of the runway is scheduled to run from February 16 to March 27, focusing on increasing safety and reliability without extending the runway itself.
The appeals from the Nabukarabe clan for consultation and inclusion underscore the critical need for recognition of landowners’ rights. This marks a potentially hopeful direction toward collaborative development efforts that can serve the interests of both the community and the initiatives underway at Labasa Airport.