Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum [left] and Opposition Member, Viliame Gavoka

The ownership arrangement of Fiji Pine Limited has not changed.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Pine landowners almost unanimously expressed the interest to continue the current ownership structure during a widespread consultation last year.

He was responding to Opposition Member, Viliame Gavoka on the current ownership status of Fiji Pine Ltd, taking into account the extension of leasing.

“This is because in the first time of its history in 2013, under the Bainimarama Government and the FijiFirst Government subsequently – Fiji Pine landowners started receiving benefits in the form of lease security bonus payments. They have never received that. Honourable Gavoka there’s no point looking to the other side. The fact is that they never received it.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says executives of Fiji Pine are expecting another record year of profits which will again be passed on to the landowners.

Last year’s consultation was carried out by Fiji Pine Trust with the assistance of the Forestry Ministry.