The Board of NLTB held its meeting for the month of June at the Mocambo Hotel in Nadi on Thursday 19th. This was its first meeting outside of Suva for 2003. The Board intends to hold at least another meeting in the North/Western District (Lautoka) before the end of the year.
1. Denarau Investments Limited
Under its previous Management, the NLTB had invested over $2,000,000 of its Trust Funds in this company, which was to be responsible for the development of the Hilton Hotel on Denarau. The loan to Denarau Investments Limited was originally scheduled to be repaid in July 2002. Following requests from the company, the Board agreed to allow some deferment. However in the beginning of June we served demand on the company after which the amount outstanding was repaid in full including interest and other charges. The Board was happy with this development as it involved Trust Funds belonging to landowning units.
2. Rent Deductions at Source
The Board noted that Management had met with the officials of the Association of Banks in Fiji (ABIF). The ABIF had given its approval in principle for rent deductions to be made by them at source. The mechanics of the scheme will need to be worked out by a Sub Committee of the ABIF, which will also include NLTB’s Manager Research & Development. This should lead to a reduction in arrears.
3. Talanoa Bi-Partisan Committee
The Board noted the discussions that were held between the General Manager and the members of the Talanoa Bi-Partisan Committee on the subject of land. The two meetings that were held basically restated the Board’s position on the land legislation issue as approved during its April meeting. Approaches had been made to address the Fiji Labour caucus on the issue as well as members of the Matanitu Vanua Conservative Alliance. The General Manager will explain NLTB’s position when the invitations do materialise.
4. 2003 Revised Budget
The Board approved Management’s recommendation for a Revised 2003 Budget. The Revised Budget includes a provision for the payment of monies due to staff as a result of the implementation of the job evaluation exercise. This will be backdated to 1st January 2003.
5. Landuse Proposal for the Lami/Suva/Nausori Corridor
The Board’s Landuse Section presented to the Board recommendations for the allocation of landuse in the Lami/Suva/Nausori corridor on land that was now outside the ambit of ALTA as approved by Cabinet in December 2002. This has been approved by the Board subject to variations to be made by the Planning Unit. This is the first time that this had been done, and the NLTB will be working closely with other agencies to ensure its adoption as well as implement action.
6. Nadi Office Opening
His Excellency the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, hosted around 100 guests including landowners, members of the business community, Board members and staff at a cocktail to commemorate the opening of NLTB’s Nadi Office. The office is located at the Colonial Plaza and has been in operation since January 2003.
7. Yavusa Naleiwavuwavu Cane Farming Project
Members of the Board of NLTB visited this group comprising 4 Mataqalis and 6 Tokatokas in the vanua of Sabeto. The group owns a total of 375 acres out of which they now have 197.4 acres under cane. The rest of their land are still leased out. This is a group that has taken over cane farming following the expiry of around 20 leases in the Year 2000. Through their efforts they have now increased cane production from 491 tonnes in 2001 to 1,697 tonnes in 2002, whilst FSC’s estimates for 2003 will see them produce 4,850 tonnes. They are indeed an example of indigenous cane farmers that are showing signs of success in a highly competitive field of endeavour. The support shown by the Board was appreciated by members of the Yavusa, especially when there is always a lot of talk about Fijian failure in cane farming.
