Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with members of the Savusavu business community on Friday, 1 August 2025, to address ongoing concerns over the Copra Shed Marina and Nawi Island Marina foreshore lease.
The dispute centres on a foreshore lease granted to Nawi Island, which the Department of Lands in the Northern Division has since admitted was issued in error. According to a report by FBC News journalist Peceli Naviticoko on 24 July 2025, Divisional Land Manager Viliame Waqa confirmed, “We admitted that, yes, they were correct. And we are working on rectifying it, especially on that lease.” He added that the absence of a foreshore officer in the North had delayed the resolution of similar cases, but a dedicated officer is expected to be appointed in the next financial year.
In the same FBC News report, Copra Shed Marina Managing Director Doly Singh said that earlier in 2025, eight registered moorings were “deliberately and illegally cut and removed” by representatives of Nawi Island Marina. Four of those moorings had vessels secured to them at the time, which were allegedly untied without consent, towed to Nawi Island and left unattended. Singh stated that the moorings, in place for over 30 years, were registered with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) under Copra Shed Marina.
In response, Nawi Island Marina stated that MSAF was consulted before and after the moorings’ removal and that it had the express consent of the MSAF CEO. The company claimed that Copra Shed Marina, while renewing its licences annually, had not disclosed that the moorings were within Nawi Island Marina’s foreshore lease area.
Prime Minister Rabuka said the government supports development but stressed that any decision would be guided by the rule of law, public interest and long-term benefits for the people of Savusavu and the wider Vanua Levu region. “This issue has been ongoing for some time now, and I am thankful to personally visit with the parties involved to hear from them. We support developments. We are listening, and we will ensure that all voices are heard,” he said.
Further consultations and assessments will continue as government agencies work to clarify and address the concerns.
