Landowners of Sanasana Village, who own the land on which the Natadola Bay Resort Project is being constructed, are seeking orders from the court to stop the Native Land Trust Board from acting as a Trustee on their behalf.
Some 50 landowners, led by Ratu Osea Gavidi packed the Suva court room this morning when the case was called as they push to try and put on hold the multi-million dollar project.
Representing the Fiji National Provident Fund, Natadola Bay Resort Limited and Natadola Holdings Limited, Isireli Fa revealed in court that the rent payment on the land has been paid last week. Fa also claims that Ratu Osea is not a landowner from Sanasana and should not be allowed to bring the case. He alleged intimidating tactics being employed by Ratu Osea by bringing around 50 landowners to court this morning.
Landowners lawyer Tupou Draunidalo dismissed allegations that Ratu Osea is using intimidating tactics, after concerns were raised by Justice Jiten Singh that he will not tolerate such acts.
Draunidalo assured that the presence of the landowners in court was due to their concerns over their land and not a tactic. She also said that Ratu Osea has the support from majority of the landowners in Sanasana contrary to what others may claim.
She stresssed that the landowners only want the NLTB and the FNPF to consider their plight.
NLTB lawyer Amena Tuifagalele confirmed that the $70,000 in lease money will be distributed to the landowners next week.
The case will be called on January 16th.
Landowners Don’t Want NLTB as Trustee
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