Fiji Islands Native Land Trust Board (NLTB) -Fiji Islands

PRESS RELEASE

Updated: May 13, 2001

Commissioning of Lift, Launching of Website & Vanuaview

The restructuring process for the Native Land Trust Board enters a new phase today with the launching of the NLTB Website, the Vanua View and the commissioning of the newly installed lift system. This process began in 1998 when the Board of the NLTB decided to restructure the organisation. The overriding objective was to administer and manage native land in a way such that economic returns for the native owners are maximised. It is also important that the Board provides an efficient service for its tenants, and facilitates the economic development of the country. The ceremony today demonstrates the first steps of that effective management of native land.

NLTB Offices, Suva

Firstly, the office working environment of the NLTB is being upgraded and modernised. This is improving productivity of staff and delivery of service to our customers.

Some questions have been raised regarding the bust of the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna that used to grace the entrance of this Building. For your information, the Board had already decided that the bust would be relocated to a special place in the new courtyard fronting the relocated Boardroom. When the next phase of the renovation is completed, I hope that you will all join us again here for a Grand Opening.

Secondly, the marketing capability of the NLTB, in particular the appeal of native land in Fiji, is being expanded and enhanced through INTERNET access. We thank Internet Fiji for assisting us in accessing the opportunities provided by such modern technology.

Thirdly, while the NLTB has valuable data regarding leases on native land, we have not been so effective in making this information available to our landowners and tenants alike. Today, with the valuable assistance of the Fiji Land Information System we are proud to say that we can provide instant viewing from our Suva Office through Vanua View.

To further demonstrate that the NLTB is positioning itself to meet the challenges of the new millenium and despite the difficult times experienced last year, the Board achieved an operating surplus of $672,452 during the financial period ending 31 December 2000. This operating profit is better than budget by 33.5 per cent (35.5%).

S. Korovulavula Public Relations Officer (4th May, 2001)

HIGHLIGHTS

ROLE, VISION AND CORPORATE OBJECTIVES
Trusteeship role
The sanctity of the trusteeship role given to the Native Land Trust Board by the indigenous landowner is "unequalled in our time". Those words spoken by Ratu Sukuna during the 1940 debate on the Native Land Trust Bill rings true today as it was more than 60 years ago. The indigenous landowner had unconditionally put his total faith behind this organisation when he entrusted the administration of his land to the Board. It is the Board?s sacred duty to protect that trust.
Historical records show that Ratu Sukuna spent at least four years consulting the various indigenous landowning communities in Fiji before consensus was reached for the establishment of the Native Land Trust Board. Approval was first obtained from the various mataqali (clan) and yavusa (tribe) before it was endorsed by the respective provincial councils and the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.
The Bose Levu Vakaturaga, the Fijian Affairs Board and the President appoint the trustees to the Board. As these institutions are the voices of the indigenous people, they singularly and collectively carry the mandate of the indigenous Fijian.
The trustees are responsible for the administration of native land on behalf of the native owner. In that regard, the trustee must see that the interest of the landowner is never compromised. The trustee is the common voice of the indigenous landowner who is required to work in partnership with government in the development of Fiji.
The Native Land Trust Board controls and administers about 84 per cent (84%) of the landmass in Fiji. Native land under its control encompasses kilometres of beachfront, flatlands, and every other landform of unlimited usage. The Board must ensure that any development over native land will bring the best economical return to the present and future landowner.
Vision
A lean, fit and well-drilled team facilitating economic development of the nation for the benefit of the Fijian landowner, or Your partner in developing our Fij Corporate objective
to deliver to the Fijian landowner the best return for the use of his land to work in partnership with government and other investors in the economic development of Fiji to be self financing and independent to review laws affecting native land and policies in line with the demands of and needs of our stakeholders to develop a happy working relationship with other colleagues

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