The Lands and Environment Ministries met with the Freesoul Real Estate development limited responsible for the Malolo hotel project in Lautoka yesterday.

Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar has confirmed the meeting was held at the Divisional Commissioner Westerns office.

He says they’ve informed the developer that the hotel construction on the island is illegal and unlawful as no licenses or approvals were issued.

The Minister adds the developer was also informed that they’re basing all these from the investigation and inspection that has already been conducted.

“We’ve also told them that from our inspection we found that there have been damage to the environment and the reefs, etc. So far they have agreed to go back and apply for the necessary permissions and consents to rectify the situation.”

Divisional Commissioner West Joji Satakala says the meeting was a fruitful one.

He adds the developer has been briefed about the conditions they must follow in regards to land developments.

Satakala says the developer has agreed to this adding that they will meet again for a review next month.

The project is expected to cost over a million dollars.

Meanwhile, FBC News had been informed that the meeting was also to include the landowners, however, this was not the case.

Attempts to get comments from the landowner’s representative has been unsuccessful.