The Native Land Trust Board is now looking at reducing the poundage rate for native landowners.
NLTB Public Relations Manager, Ro Alipate Mataitini said discussions have already been with the Interim Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
He said Commodore Bainimarama has asked that the poundage fees charged for landowners should be reduced from 15 to 10 percent.
Mataitini said the NLTB is now analyzing the proposal as the poundage fees is used for the administration of the NLTB's work, and if it is reduced that the board has to decide how it will take care of its costs.
With the reduction in the poundage rate, the native land owners will receive more as lease rent.
It is not known at this stage when the final decision will be made.
Fijivillage News has also received confirmation that the increased Unimproved Capital Value on native land leased out will increase from about 5 to 10 percent from July. This would mean that from July this year, native landowners will receive more based on the UCV increase.
However the increase in the percentage will be subsidized by the interim government. Eight million tax dollars will be given to the NLTB for the increased lease rental to be paid out.
NLTB looks at reducing poundage rate for landowners
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when