NORTHERN REGION ARREARS AWARENESS DRIVE
September 24, 2026
TLTB TO INCREASE MATAQALI PARTICIPATION IN NEW LOU PINE PLANTATION DEVELOPMENTS
September 24, 2026
The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has met with the Head of Mataqali Vatuvula Kasia, Mr. Soloveni Vuru Waqatabu, at Drana Village to discuss concerns raised in a recent media report regarding access to the Narara Dam water source. Refer to the Fiji Times article, 17 September 2026 titled: “Water Site Access Blocked | $4m compensation row”.
During the consultation, Mr. Vuru confirmed that there is currently no issue relating to the blocking of the access road to the Narara Dam site. He clarified that the concerns of the landowners are not about restricting access to the water source, but rather the prolonged delay in resolving an outstanding compensation offer by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF).
According to the landowners, an offer letter was issued in March 2026 with the expectation that the matter would be finalized by June 2026. However, the offer remains unresolved, resulting in growing frustration among members of the Mataqali.
Importantly, the landowners reaffirmed their continued support for the use of the water source by the people of Vaileka and surrounding communities. They noted that the land was willingly made available by their elders more than 60 years ago for the benefit of the wider public and emphasized that restricting access to the Narara Dam has never been considered.
TLTB used the meeting as an opportunity to explain the processes involved in negotiating and finalizing such offers, including the respective roles of TLTB, the Water Authority of Fiji, and the Director of Lands. The clarification was welcomed by the landowners.
The Mataqali has requested TLTB’s continued assistance in engaging with WAF to help expedite the resolution of the outstanding offer and compensation matter, with the hope that the issue will be settled as soon as possible.
