A BOLD VISION FOR PROTECTING LAND RIGHTS AND BUILDING WEALTH

Accompanied by Manager Landowners Empowerment Central Region, Mr. Pio Raitoni, and Manager Central Eastern, Mr. Buinimasi Bese, Mr. Nata provided an overview of TLTB’s legal mandate, vision, core business, lease and trust data, and the Board’s new strategic direction for the structural empowerment of iTaukei landowners.

A major highlight of the presentation was TLTB’s submission to the Constitution Review Committee, which seeks stronger recognition and protection of iTaukei rights and interests. Among the key proposals highlighted by Mr. Nata were the recognition of the iTaukei as Fiji’s first settlers and customary landowners, constitutional protection of qoliqoli rights, the restoration of full proprietary rights over natural resources, the return of State-acquired land that is no longer required for public purposes, and stronger constitutional safeguards for legislation protecting indigenous interests. These proposals generated significant interest and applause from the council.

Mr. Nata also outlined TLTB’s new strategic focus on structural empowerment, emphasizing the need for landowners to move beyond reliance on lease income and participate more actively in wealth creation through business ownership, investment, tourism, agriculture, blue economy initiatives and major development projects on their land.

Mr Nata also highlighted opportunities available through the Taukei Development Fund Facility (TDFF), TLTB scholarship programme, land development projects and other economic initiatives aimed at creating sustainable and generational wealth for landowning units throughout Fiji.

Mr. Nata reaffirmed that TLTB’s vision is not only to administer iTaukei land, but to ensure that landowners are empowered to fully realise the economic value of their resources while safeguarding their heritage and customary rights for future generations.