Villagers of Navunikabi in Namosi oppose the planned Namosi hydro dam by Energy Fiji Limited on their land. 1 October 2024 Photo: Facebook / On Times
Indigenous landowners in one of Fiji's provinces on the main island of Viti Levu are protesting Sitiveni Rabuka government's proposal to construct a hydro dam.
Local media are reporting that Navunikabi villagers in Namosi are demanding that the administration carefully consider the impact such a development, reportedly just one kilometre from their village, will have on the local community and environment.
The villagers do not want the proposed construction by the public company Energy Fiji Limited - majority government-owned - to proceed and are refusing to give access for the government to conduct feasibility studies on their land.
But the Rural and Maritime Development Minister Sakiasi Ditoka said the coalition government supports the proposed project and "we will just go forward after hearing everyone".
"Our attitude to that is that they belong to a vanua and we know traditionally that they have a leadership. First, we will have to respect what the vanua has said and the vanua has a hierarchy," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"We will also consider what the people of Navunikabi say. We will not be forcing our way onto this."
The minister said government was hoping to resolve the issue "through consensus" so whatever is best for all parties is realised.
"I believe that there are certain hydroelectricity solutions that don't have the kind of footprint that people are scared of," he said, adding the government did not want to interfere in internal discussions between the people of Namosi.
According to the state broadcaster FBC News, the Namosi province paramount chief Ratu Suliano Matanitobua had suggested the villagers would be relocated should the project proceed.
However, the comments by the minister surprised the villagers, FBC News reported on Thursday.
It reported the Namosi landowners' non-government organisation, 'Lomani Au Maroroi Au' chair Sipiriano Nariva criticising politicians for neglecting landowners' concerns while making decisions about their resources.
"What the minister just said is so surprising! It's unbelievable; it's so sad at the same time as they continue to bring politics into development," Nariva was quoted as saying.
"We are being left behind to suffer, and we will not allow this to happen, as we will fight to stay and ensure that our generations are safe."