Pacific

Fiji landowners reclaim Savusavu

12:41 pm on 29 September 2006

Descendants of the original owners of land on which Fiji's Savusavu town is built want it returned to them.

Radio Legend reports that they are gathering information to be used in lodging their claim once the Land Claims Tribunal Bill is passed.

The Roko Tui, or senior administrative official, of the Cakaudrove Province, Waisele Wainiqolo, says they want evidence to prove that their ancestors were tricked into selling the land in pre-colonial days.

Mr Wainoqolo says they will also stake their claim to the foreshore around the town which is a favourite harbour for those cruising the world in yachts.

Savusavu is a rapidly developing tourist town in Vanua Levu with some of the most expensive real estate in Fiji because Americans have been buying land there for several years.