7 Dec 2004

Fiji's NLTB agrees to extend lease period

12:56 pm on 7 December 2004

Fiji's Native Land Trust Board has agreed to extend the Native Lease period to 50 years as opposed to 30 years under the Agricultural Landlord and Tenants Act.

The NLTB's general manager, Kalivati Bakani, says 50 year leases will only be allowed under the Native Land Trust Act.

Last week, the opposition leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, said in parliament that although the government has been saying something to this effect, nothing concrete has been done.

Mr Bakani says the issue has been explained to the Labour Party during the Talanoa Sessions, but before the 50 year period is applied, the present government will need to get Labour's support in parliament before it can become law.

The attorney general, Qoriniasi Bale, says cabinet has approved the issue and a bill has been prepared to that effect, a copy of which has been forwarded to the Labour Party.