Tenants on iTaukei land will now know in advance if their leases aren’t renewed.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who is also the chair of the I’Taukei Lands Trust Board has directed that tenants with expiring leases be given 5 years notice of non-renewal.
The Sugar Minister told cane farmers they will no longer be in danger of finding out at the last minute that they have to leave their farms.
“This gives you certainty and enables you to make proper plans to find somewhere else to live. It is about giving leaseholders security and peace of mind – to enable them to properly manage their affairs and their lives.”
The TLTB and the government have set aside half a million dollars each to assist disadvantaged tenants who are behind in their rent.
“This includes the elderly without pensions and who are ill, tenants of all ages with a chronic illness, those who have lost their jobs or those with disabilities. There is specific assistance for elderly cane farming tenants above the age of 60 with no other source of income other than cane proceeds. We will pay their leases for them.”
Bainimarama says the I’Taukei Lands Board has also agreed to set aside another $1m to assist Cyclone affected farmers with the payment of their leases.
Details of this initiative will be released in the next few weeks.
