SUVA (Pacnews) — The Fiji government is considering a compromise proposal under which the Native Land Trust Board will resume renewing expired farm leases.
Under the proposal, farm leases will be extended by another 10 years to 20 years and rentals will go up by 10 percent.
The Daily Post reported that details have been revealed by the Minister of Lands, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to the Fijian community in Washington DC.
Naiqama was reported to have said that the decision to increase the rent and extend the length of leases was in line with the government’s beliefs in fairness and equity for landowners and tenants.
In Fiji, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said a bipartisan committee comprising the government and the Fiji Labor Party has been formed to discuss land lease renewals. The committee has to reach agreement before the proposed solution can go to the Cabinet and the Great Council of Chiefs.
Qarase has said he wants the solution to go before the July session of parliament.
