TLTB OPENS NEW SERVICE CENTRE IN NAMOSI-A PROVINCE WITH SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) reached another milestone in its new business direction yesterday (30th April 2025) with the official opening its third service centre — in Dada, Namosi, by the Turaga na Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua.

Located within the premises provided by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, the Dada TLTB Service Centre is set to bring vital land services closer to the people of Namosi — particularly the five tikina of Wainikoroiluva, Naqarawai, Veinuqa, Namosi, and Veivatuloa. This includes 72 mataqali from 28 villages across 77,917 hectares of native land.

In his address, Turaga na Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, thanked the TLTB Board and its Management Team for their leadership and vision and rendered his full support. He urged those TLTB staff that will be serving from the new TLTB office, to consider themselves part of the Namosi province.

“Whenever you set foot on the land of Namosi, count yourself as one of us so that you can serve my people better. Because you will drink its water and eat its food — and though you may not always sleep well or eat well — it will not matter, because you are one of us,” he said.

Ratu Suliano said the new office would become a hub for opportunity, learning, and prosperity for the people.

“Namosi has a lot of potential. We can help each other create wealth and assist the economy. But we must do it with care and love for one another. All provinces in Fiji must work together for this common goal,” he said.

CEO Mr Solomone Nata said the event marked more than just an office opening — it symbolised the Board’s commitment to decentralise services and extend outreach to remote and rural communities.

The new office will initially operate two days every fortnight, with the flexibility to increase operations based on local demand.

With only 16% of Namosi’s land currently under lease, Mr Nata noted that more than 65,000 hectares remain unleased and hold significant development potential.

“This office will help facilitate land use planning with our landowners, create new economic opportunities, promote development projects that can lift the standard of living, and increase awareness of the assistance programs we offer such as the iTaukei Development Fund,” Mr Nata explained.

Mr Nata reiterated TLTB’s mission to not only manage leases, but to empower landowners with knowledge and confidence to drive economic growth.

“We want to encourage more of our landowners to farm and lease their own land; in ways that are sustainable, that respect our culture and traditions, and most importantly, that benefit our people,” he said.

Apart from its Head Office in Suva, TLTB now operates:

• Four Regional Offices in Suva (Central Eastern Region), Nadi (South-West Region), Lautoka (North-West Region), Labasa (Northern Region) and the Tourism Office in Namaka,

• Six Sub-Regional Offices in Nausori, Ba, Sigatoka, Rakiraki, Korovou, and Savusavu,

• And three Service Centres in Nabouwalu, Vunidawa, and now Dada.