MONASAVU landowners have at long last gotten what they have firmly believed
over the years is their just
reward.
The landowners and the Fiji Electricity Authority reached an agreement totalling
$52. 8 million at Deuba's Centra
Pacific Harbour Hotel. FEA General Manager generation, Kasa Saubulinayau said
he was happy that an
agreement had been reached.
Chief negotiator and Naitasiri high chief, Na Turaga na Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke
Takiveikata, said he was happy
the long standing issue had at last been resolved in a manner agreeable to all
the parties. "The agreement has
been reached through God's will and I must thank all participating parties for
the way an amicable solution was
reached," Ratu Takiveikata said.
The landowners lawyer, Sireli Fa said there is still work to be done before
the actual money is paid. This involves
settling some minor details before FEA signs the agreement prior to the payment.
The main features of the Joint
Statement of Understanding reached yesterday include:
FEA payment to the Monasavu Landowners of $52. 8m. Alternatives such as the
provision for equity
participation in the FEA by the Landowners as payment are to be pursued.
The FEA does not wish to acquire a lease over the catchment area comprising
some 25, 000 acres. This area is
now able to be employed by the landowners to their benefit.
The landowners have agreed to make payment in relation to settling the court
action on terms. A goodwill
payment will be made by the FEA of $5m as a settlement deposit sum to the Landowners
Solicitor, Fa &
Company Trust Account upon executing and filing of a Deed of Settlement. In
consideration of this payment the
landowners will provide a Notice of Discontinuance in relation to these proceedings
with respect to the FEA.
Additional future payments indexed to the CPI of; i) $1, 000,0000 will be made
for the next five years and ii)
$460, 000 thereafter for 93 years.
These terms may be the subject of variation or discontinuance of this understanding.
It is a requirement of the landowners that such future payments be
indexed to the CPI to maintain the purchasing power of these payments, the FEA
is at this time, unable to agree to this. In addition the parties intend to
negotiate in relation to the participation and shareholding in the FEA as a
payment alternative.
The Landowners have undertaken not to engage in any activities which may prejudice
or adversely affect the operations of the FEA inside the
Monasavu Electricity Scheme area.
The Landowners accept the payment of $52. 8m in full and final settlement of
action 576/98 against the FEA in respect of the Monasavu Electricity
Scheme claims. All parties are pleased to announce a settlement understanding
of this matter and appreciate the efforts of all. The Landowners
attending the meeting to resolve this legal dispute had earlier approved of
a resolution to allow the FEA to resume normal activity in the area.
Fiji's Daily Post
FIJI'S problem area now is Monasavu, says military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel
Filipo Tarakinikini. He
confirmed that the North is clear and thanked residents for helping the soldiers.
Life in the North is back to normal and residents have applauded the action
taken by the army to restore
normalcy for them. A businessman in Labasa said he is happy life is back to
normal in the Northern Division,
as during the crisis, he really has lost out. Major Politini, who headed the
military's campaign in the north,
said support from the people has been excellent.
"The soldiers are now moving to Monasavu, but is taking a tactical approach
for fear of being ambushed,"
Lt-Col Tarakinikini said. A policeman and soldier were killed and three soldiers
injured in a rebel ambush at
Sawani early Tuesday morning.
"We really don't know what's in our path and we do not want a repeat of
what happened on Tuesday," he said.
Lt-Col Tarakinikini said landowners, in support of the army's efforts to return
the country to normalcy, have
agreed to hand over the dam to the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA). Lt-Col
Tarakinikini said they are moving
in to secure the area and seize arms taken by the landowners.
Once the arms are returned, Lt-Col Tarakinikini said he would let FEA personnel
into the area to carry out
their work for the restoration of electricity to Viti Levu. "It's our duty
to see that electricity is restored." He
said security at Monasavu will be tightened.
Fiji's Daily Post
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