TLTB NEGOTIATED THE RETURN OF PART OF UNUSED ITAUKEI LAND UNDER THE CATCHMENT LEASE AFTER 17 YEARS
February 19, 2026
Misaele Toutou, a former schoolteacher who resigned from the Ministry of Education in 2018, has since built a reputable and trusted transport operation. Drawing on his background in education, he has demonstrated good business acumen and a commitment to high quality customer service in the Tikina of Savatu in Ba.
Initially operating with a five-ton truck, Mr Toutou now requires an eight-ton truck valued at $99,000 to expand his services and meet growing demand.
This was still a dream until he came to the iTaukei Land trust Board (TLTB) with a plan to expand his transport service and meet increasing demand in the village of Lewa and the Tikina of Savatu; a place where no public bus service is available.
The $99,000 was sourced through a loan under TLTB’s Taukei Development Fund Facility (TDFF) and was formally presented by CEO Mr Solomone Nata last week.
Mr. Nata said that the TDFF assistance program will expand and be rebranded as the iTaukei Bank. Once an iTaukei individual is registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB), they will be eligible to apply for a loan with no deposit required and an interest rate of only 2.5 percent.
“We are supporting iTaukei businesses almost every week, with the clear objective of helping rural communities and villagers both in the interior and along the coastal islands. No one will be left behind—this initiative is for all of us. Whether you are a landowner or not, whether you hold lease money or not, this support is for every iTaukei,” he added.
Now fully engaged in the transport industry, Mr Toutou operates under formal authorization from the Lautoka Education Office and the Ba Provincial Council.
These endorsements reflect the reliability and quality of his services, as well as his contribution to meeting daily school transport services for the last seven years across Drala Village, Vatukotokoto, Votualevu Settlement, Savatu Primary School/Lewa SDA School, and Nadarivate Secondary School. His focus has been on ensuring safe and consistent transport for schoolchildren.
In addition to his school transport contracts, he has diversified his operations by subcontracting with Fletcher Higgins to provide rural transport services covering several unsealed roads, including Lewa Road, Lewa Nabutautau Road, Nadrau Road, Monasavu, and Naga Road. The subcontract forms a key part of his broader income portfolio, further strengthening the sustainability of his business.
