For the 200 members of the Na rukusa ra mataqali of Solevu Village on Malolo in the Mamanuca Group, 25 years of struggle for a share of profit has come to an end. It follows a new initiative by the Government, through the iTaukei Trust Fund Board.
The assistance is specifically aimed at assisting resource owners for tourism properties.
Resource owners of Namotu Island
The mataqali Narukusara is the resource owner of Namotu Island where Namotu Island Resort is located. In the last few weeks, it formed and registered their new company, Divine Journey (Pte) Fiji Limited.
Mataqali Narukusara’s recent achievement is being seen as the pioneer project that could now see other resource owners follow the same track.
The turaga ni mataqali Narukusara, (head of the landowning unit) Lote Koroi Druadrua said elders tried for years to achieve something like this.
“It will open doors for us and the members of the mataqali to venture into other businesses once we have saved enough income,” Mr Druadrua said.
The mataqali’s local director for the resort, Matai Soroverata said the clan had emerged to now grow economically from its income.
iTaukei Resource Owners Forum
In March, an iTaukei Resource Owners Forum was organised by the Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu.
The main purpose of the forum was to map out strategic interventions to accelerate resource owners’ economic participation. The meeting also saw several appointments made with resource owners for different types of busiesses.
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Story By: Charles Chambers
Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj