15 Aug 2007

Fiji Methodist church in land development

11:06 am on 15 August 2007

Fiji's third largest landowner, the Methodist Church, has been urged to go into the land development business.

The Fiji Times reports the church holdings rank only behind traditionally owned indigenous land which comprises 90 percent of Fiji and that owned by the state which is about three percent.

The newspaper says the church president, the Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca, made the call for the development of their land at the ground breaking ceremony for the church's Nadi Division which is developing a 12-hectare property for housing.

The lots will sell for between 21,000 and 30,000 US dollars with 99 year leases.

The Reverend Ratabacaca said most of the church land is lying idle and its development would reduce the burden on members who have to raise funds for the church.