The i-Taukei Land Trust Board has called on landowners and prospective tenants to stop goodwill payments because it’s a corrupt practice.
General Manager Alipate Qetaki says a decision against these payments has been made by the Board and it is to be strictly followed.
He says this type of goodwill payment has no provision in our land laws so people will pay up at their own risk.
The Board has reiterated that both the tenants and landowners involved can be taken to court.
“Under the Native Land Trust Act there are no provisions for the landowners or the Board for that matter to levy any goodwill payment for the consent of the landowners.”
The TLTB has directed that all money paid for new leases should be made directly to the Board and it will not be liable for any extra payments made.
