MINISTER BAINIVALU ENGAGES WITH NUKURUA MAHOGANY LANDOWNERS
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Honorable Alitia Bainivalu MP, as the chairperson of the Mahogany Industry Council (MIC), met with the Nukurua landowners on Tuesday (31.12.2024) to hear their grievances and other issues regarding the management of mahogany plantation on their land currently leased by Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd (FHCL). The Nukurua landowners were from the villages of Savu and Sote of the district of Vugalei in the province of Tailevu.
The meeting, which was held in Savu village and also attended by members of the four clans of Sote village, was chaired by Minister Bainivalu. The Chairman of the Fiji Mahogany Trust was present as well.
Some matters raised by the landowners were in relation to the governance within FHCL and how the mahogany plantation on their leased land is currently being managed.
Also, the Fiji Mahogany Trust (FMT) responsibilities needed to be assessed as to how best they could work together with FHCL, in the interest of the landowners.
The issues raised by the landowners reinforced the urgency in reviewing the mahogany legislation and the FMT rules to promote and support good governance and accountability in the mahogany industry.
The landowners requested their concerns to be addressed with FHCL and FMT, through the MIC.
FHCL will be invited to provide clarifications regarding the issues raised, and a way forward will be determined by the MIC.