Monasavu landowners sign deal

Representatives from 12 landowning units in Monasavu have finally signed long overdue agreements for use of their land. The landowners signed two deeds of settlement with the Fiji Electricity Authority and the Native Land Trust Board worth F$52.8 million. The settlement is for 99 years for 23.000 acres of catchment area for hydro-electricity generation.

The first payment of F$9.4 million is to be paid by June 15 with the second payment of F$1 million in September.

In addition to the compensation, the landowners will receive a lease payment from FEA of F$1.5 million plus an annual rental of $160,000.

The lawyers for the landowners said 60 per cent of the first payment would be shared equally among all mataqali members and 40 per cent kept in the Public Trust Fund for the mataqali's investment and future purposes.

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