The Vanua Mahogany landowners have warned the Fiji government against misleading foreign investors after it re-opened the tender process for the harvesting of the country's plantations.
The landowners' lawyer, Isireli Fa, says the government is acting in disregard of his clients' challenge of the ownership of the multi million dollar mahogany stands.
Mr Fa says the Vanua landowners have won right to take the government to court and that there are two more cases by other landowners in April.
He says the government is premature is asking for tenders when it has yet to prove that it owns the mahogany forests.
"The bottom line is if the court rules in our favour then what is the government inviting tenders for so really I mean the government can do what it wants but I think the government's got to be careful that it doesn't misrepresent facts cause the government trying to put out an image of business as usual but it will come unstuck because whoever gets into bed with the government will want due diligence done and the due diligence will reveal that there's a problem."
Isireli Fa, lawyer for the Vanua Mahogany landowners.
The government-owned Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited is asking for expressions of interest for the position of corporate adviser responsible for the selection of a strategic partner.
