The Native Land Trust Board would like to issue the following statement to clarify the news report on the attempt to close the Barotu Cemetery by certain landowners in Ra.

1. The Barotu Cemetery is shown on survey plan R.899, containing an area of 2 acres 1 rood 12 perches.

2. The land known as Navatulevu was previously owned by Mataqali Nabonubonu of the Yavusa Korolevu (Dugudugutinawai) of Barotu Village in the Tikina of Saivou, Province of Ra.

3. It was acquired by the Director of Lands for and on behalf of the Government for Cemetery Purposes and was registered under Cetificate of Transfer No. 34 on the 21st of May 1962.

4. The cemetery was later set apart and licensed as a public burial-ground and crematorium on the 29th of July 1986 by the then Commissioner Western under the powers vested in him by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Burial and Cremation Act. The proclamation was published in the Fiji Royal Gazette of 15th August 1986.

Therefore any attempt to close the cemetery as highlighted by the media is not only illegal but may lead to prosecution under the laws of the country.

(N NAIVALUMAIRA)
NATIVE LAND TRUST BOARD

Monday, March 01, 2004