Pacific

Fiji landowners threaten Suva water supply

06:18 am on 28 May 2003

Indigenous landowners in Fiji have threatened to cut off part of the water supply to the capital, Suva, of they are not paid 150-thousand US dollars.

Radio Fiji reports that the landowners attempted to shut off the valves at the Wainibuku Reservoir east of Suva yesterday but were persuaded to hold off for a week.

The ultimatum will now expire next Tuesday.

The land in question was returned to the landowners by the state last year after more than a hundred years.

They say they want the 150-thousand US dollars compensation first before any lease is issued.