The Native Land Trust Act (NLTA) was created by Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna to assist Fijian landowners to lease their land. His aim was to ensure that landowners benefited from leasing their lands, while also retaining land for their future needs. The Native Land Trust Board (NLTB) was to administer the NLTA for the benefit of its indigenous Fijian owners. However, they proved incompetent and a number of landowners felt cheated.
It will be worse under Bainimarama’s Land Use Decree where the PM of the day has total control over all lands deposited into the Land Bank. There is nothing the landowners can do once their lands have been deposited into the Land Bank. The landowners will be the legal owners of the land in "name" only. They will not have any control at all over the lands. Effectively, the landowners will have lost their lands for up to 99 years or for as long as the PM wants. They will also have no say as to how much rent they should receive for their lands and they cant complain to any court, even if they want their lands back. So be warned and don't be easily fooled by Bainimarama's lies and cheap bribes. Your lands are worth far more than what Bainimarama is offering you in premiums, mud roads and mediocre services. You have been too used to receiving small amounts because of an incompetent public sector that you jump at the smallest thing. Please think and discuss amongst yourselves, before you give away the key asset that can get you and your families out of poverty. Bainimarama's Land Bank is not the answer you seek - its all a trick. Remember, Bainimarama has broken every promise he has made since overthrowing a democratically elected government. Bainimarama has also insulted you as a people, insulted your chiefs and your traditions and your religion and your God. And if Bainimarama can insult your religion and your God, then there is nothing he wont do to get what he wants - Your highly valuable lands. So be warned and don't deposit your lands into Bainimarama's Land Bank! There is another and better way.
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