Bua Landowners Happy with Return of Overplant Pine Project
It was a happy day for landowners in the Bua Province yesterday as the Minister for Forestry, Honourable Kalaveti Ravu opened a newly constructed house in Navunievu Village and two in Tiliva Village.
The construction of the houses was made possible through the Overplant Pine Projects.
Last year, the ITaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) had returned to landowners about 500 hectares of overplanted pine land within Fiji Pine leases in Bua Province.
A venture made possible through a joint effort between TLTB, Fiji Pine Ltd and the landowners. Under the agreement, land returned to the landowners, along with the pine trees growing on them, would remain theirs.
The project also assist in the construction of houses for landowners as well as encourages landowning units to better invest their earnings.
Addressing the villagers in Tiliva Village yesterday, Hon. Ravu said it was the objective of Government to help bring back prosperity and raise living standards for each and every Fijian.
“That is the responsibility of Government and to also open pathways of change,” Hon. Ravu said.
He further elaborated that the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry is working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of ITaukei Affairs to explore opportunities for collaboration to ensure maximum benefits for resource owners in the fisheries and forestry sectors.
Turaga-ni-Koro for Tiliva Village, Sitiveni Solei said they were thankful to the Government for the Overplant Pine Project as they have been crying for it for the last 16 years.
“Under this project, we have been able to purchase two vehicles, a boat and a house for our Mataqali (clan) that has been opened today,” Mr. Solei said.
Meanwhile, 56 year old Poniani Matarai of Navunievu Village said he was thankful that through the return of the Overplanted area, he was able to construct a three bedroom house for his family.
“I’m thankful to the Government through the Ministry of Forestry for the return of the overplanted areas back to us. I believe that if it wasn’t for the project, I wouldn’t have been able to build a good house such as this for my family,” Mr. Matarai said.
Hon. Ravu and the Assistant Minister for ITaukei Affairs, Hon.Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu are currently on a three-day tour of Vanua Levu visiting some major projects of the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry.
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