In
response to numerous queries from the media, the Native
Land Trust Board would like to reiterate statement made
earlier that it fully supports the stand taken by the Fiji
Electricity Authority to remove illegal squatters from their
wayleave reserve along Cunningham Road.
The
land, which is owned by the Mataqali Nawavatu of Kalabu
Village, was leased to the FEA for a term of ninety-nine
years with effect from the 1st day of October 1979 for the
purpose of wayleave and electricity transmission.
The
purpose of securing this parallel strip of land is to prevent
human settlement within the boundaries of the lease because
of possible radiation from high volt power lines and also
safeguard human lives in case of a major disaster.
Housing Authority has indicated that it stands ready to
assist those families that will be affected as a result
of the eviction in acquiring developed lots for residential
accommodation and has asked them to call in at their Valelevu
Head Office for that purpose.
The
Board in earlier statements has also publicly made known
that it is willing to provide assistance to the affected
families and is again calling on them that our Central/Eastern
regional office has land available which they can apply
to lease for agricultural and residential.
It
must be remembered that the Board is the only authority that
can legally lease out native land. Those who wish to deal
directly with landowners do so at their own risk as had happened
in this particular instance.
