The Government does not levy or charge anything from land that are deposited in the land bank.

This was confirmed by Permanent Secretary for Lands Malakai Finau.

Finau says government has no right to charge or take ownership of any land in the land bank as it remains the full ownership of landowners.

“And the landowners are at liberty of their free will, it’s not a land grab because it requires the majority of the landowner’s consent which is then verified by the I-Taukei lands commission before its accepted into the land bank, there are certain requirements that needs to be met.”

Finau says the Land Bank is a competitive agency and its intention is to give land owners the best return they can get.