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Issue No: 571; 10 March 2001
The NLTB's recommendation that the Great Council of Chiefs reject the Fiji Court of Appeal decision has been labelled "dishonest" and "inflammatory". The Minister for Fijian Affairs and the Deputy Prime Minister, Adi Kuini Speed has stated that the recommendation by the NLTB's General Manager Maika Qarikau is "a total distortion of the implication of the Court's decision". She is quoted by today's Fiji Times as saying that the NLTB is "not above the law". Adi Kuini's comments follow the report of the Qarikau committee to the Chiefs. The committee included Niko Nawaikula who is the head of the NLTB's legal department, and lawyers for George Speight and the terrorists Rabo Matebalavu and Kitione Vuataki. The recommendation of these lawyers to reject the court decision has taken the legal fraternity in Fiji by surprise. The recommendation shows the quality of minds heading the NLTB, and their view of the legal lease arrangements which the NLTB has with the tenants. Over the past year the NLTB has been evicting farmers at an unprecedented scale in Fiji. In many cases, farmers who still have valid tenancy have been evicted on the instigation of the NLTB. The lack of respect for property rights and the general contempt shown by the NLTB for the rule of law has become a major factor causing deteriorating confidence in the nation. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
