Landowners Concerned About Direct Investor Deals

Landowners in Naroko and Saivou are worried that investors are approaching them directly instead of following proper procedures.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, and SMEs, Manoa Kamikamica has assured landowners that they have the right to send investors away if they do not come with the correct officials.

The concern arose from a situation in Ra, where a Chinese investor allegedly made deals directly with landowners. Setoki Daku, the District Representative for Naroko, expressed that they had previously sent one investor away and are now facing pressure from another to approve deals.

Daku questioned why the government and Provincial Council are not managing these investor meetings, as they are supposed to be the first points of contact.

He stated that while some landowners have agreed to deals, others have not, causing divisions within the community.

He also mentioned that some investors are offering large sums of money to landowners, knowing they may be financially struggling.

Daku is calling on the government and Provincial Councils to engage with the community and provide guidance on how to properly handle investor interactions.

In response, Kamikamica emphasized that investors must first go through Investment Fiji and his Ministry before approaching landowners.

He stated that unauthorized investors can be sent away, and he plans to contact the investor involved to address the situation.