The Itaukei Land Trust Board has revealed that it has also received criticism from members of the various landowning units on their outright rejection of the implementation of equal rent distribution policy.

However, TLTB’s position has been more of compliance and enlightenment of the many benefits individual members can derive from.

TLTB General Manager Tevita Kuruvakadua says one of the concerns raised was for overseas members of the land owning unit who no longer participate in village project contributions but will still be receiving a share of lease monies in their bank accounts.

‘’In order for TLTB to distribute land lease money equally to land owners, we would require an update register for i taukei land owners in the native land register or the Vola Ni Kawa Bula not only that we also want it updated’’.

The policy decision for equal distribution of lease monies was introduced by Government with the amendment of the Native Land Leases and Licenses Regulations 2010.

This was to have become effective from 1st January 2011.

TLTB confirms that the equal distribution of lease money only began in May this year, four years after its schedule start date.