Ministry Urges Calm and Patience Over Nasarava Catchment Payments

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is urging members of the public not to fall prey to misinformation and to remain patient as work continues to finalise mesne profit payments for landowners associated with the Nasarava Water Catchment lease in Wailevu, Macuata.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry said concerns had been raised regarding the status of the payments and clarified that negotiations with the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) had been successfully concluded.

According to the Ministry, an agreement has been reached on the mesne profit payments, with the Ministry responsible for payments covering the period from 1951 to 2009 amounting to $479,222.62, while WAF has assumed responsibility for payments from 2010 to 2025 amounting to $508,865.26.

The Ministry said its portion of the payment is currently being processed in conjunction with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) and stressed that the delay is not due to funds being withheld.

It explained that a verification and reconciliation exercise was undertaken jointly with WAF to ensure all payment calculations are accurate, properly accounted for and consistent with the agreed settlement framework.

The Ministry further stated that the verification process is a standard accountability measure designed to safeguard the interests of all parties, including landowners, and to ensure public funds are disbursed correctly.

Officials said the Ministry is currently awaiting the official invoice from the iTLTB before payments can be finalised and distributed through the appropriate channels.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring landowners receive their lawful entitlements while maintaining transparency, accountability and good governance throughout the process.

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