A lot of media interest has been given to this Naselai lease expiry case. The facts are as follows:

• The expired lease was jointly held by Adbul Wahid Mohammed Yasin, Habiban and Abdul Rasid, all sons of Safat.
• The original term of the lease was for 30 years from 1st July 1952 which expired on 30th June, 1982 and was extended for 20 years from then under the provisions of ALTA. It was never a 100 year lease as reported in the Fiji Times. The subject lease had therefore expired on 30th June 2002.
• Under the provisions of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA), the former tenants are entitled to a twelve (12) months grace period from expiry of their lease, that grace period is to expire on 30th June, 2003.
• There are four (4) residential buildings situated on this former Agricultural lease which had an area of just slightly over 4 acres.
• The Landowners concerned want to develop the subject land for themselves, with investments that will enable them to fetch a higher return compared to renewing the expired lease.
• The former tenants have been advised of the landowners intentions and informed of the decision on the non-renewal of their lease well ahead of time by both the landowners and NLTB.
• They have also been informed by NLTB Officers in April that land is available for leasing at the Naselai subdivision, which is only 3 to 4 kilometres away.
• However, they neither showed interest nor responded to NLTB’s offer.
• The four residential buildings on the land are still intact. The former tenants have so far dismantled only their garages, which was highlighted by Fiji TV last Sunday evening.
• The landowners concerned have opted to put their land to a higher and better use which will fetch them better return, hence the non-renewal of the expired lease in question.
• NLTB is prepared to grant new leases to the former tenants at Naselai Subdivision. This had been made known to them and this offer is still open to them to take.

Kalivati Bakani
General Manager
Native Land Trust Board
Wednesday, May 21, 2003