The Environment Ministry confirms there are no works currently underway to the resort on the Malolo Island in the Mamanuca Group.

Speaking to FBC News, Minister responsible Dr Mahendra Reddy says the Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) Ptd Ltd has been instructed to halt all development.

“We’ve got our officers down there and we have stationed Police officers there 24/7 to ensure that they do not undertake any development. They might be carrying out some work but it has nothing to do with this development. They have breached the requirement and we’ve given them a stop notice and they are not supposed to do any development. We are taking them to court and all the cases we’ve taken to court has had a hundred percent success rate.”

Meanwhile, the Land’s Ministry also confirmed to FBC News that a team has been on the island since yesterday conducting an investigation.

Minister, Ashneel Sudhakar says according to the Ministry’s records, no license or lease was issued to the Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) Ptd Ltd for development.

Sudhakar says the resort developer had been issued two ‘Stop Work’ Notices and a court order, however, it has been disregarded.

“I’m waiting for my team to return and I’ll see what breaches have been made and will take the necessary legal actions to stop them from going any further.”

Meanwhile, landowners’ lawyer, Dr Ken Chambers says they are not happy with all that has transpired so far.

Initially, the proposed resort was to include over-water villas, restaurants, a club, a casino, as well as beachfront units, ridge units, a kindergarten, a spa, and back-of-house facilities.

However, after conducting an EIA, the number of accommodation units was reduced from 351 to 102, and the decision was made not to permit a casino.