Nakavu Village, Namosi, sits along the Navua River and is the first village you encounter as you travel inland. The river is well known for its rich deposits of gravel and sand, evidenced by four major gravel extraction operations currently active along its banks. One of these operations is run by Standard Concrete Industries Limited (SCIL), a subsidiary of Basic Industries Limited (BIL) under the Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL). Located less than a kilometre away from Nakavu Village, this site serves as SCIL’s main gravel extraction operation in the Central Division.
Since 2008, SCIL had managed the entire extraction process independently, while the Nakavu village landowners only received royalty payments. This arrangement continued for many years until last year, when SCIL opened the door for landowners to participate directly in the core operations. This marked an important shift from being passive beneficiaries to becoming more actively involved stakeholders.
Despite facing various hurdles along their journey, these difficulties ultimately inspired several determined members, from the village of Nakavu, to act. By 2023, they began envisioning a future where landowners were not just recipients of royalties, but meaningful participants in the value chain. Their discussions led to the formation of a new committee, which was legitimized through an official trust deed.
Through the committee, the village of Nakavu ensured that their financial returns were managed responsibly and transparently. The royalties received were allocated across four key components, which feed into strengthening the village, as well as contribution towards their Yavusa’s development initiatives, most notably the Education Fund and the Housing Fund. In addition, every three months, the six Mataqalis of Yavusa Nabukebuke receive scheduled payments from these royalties, supporting equitable distribution and long-term community benefit.
With the committee in order and a functioning financial structure in place, the next goal was clear: to create a village-owned company capable of participating directly in the gravel extraction business.
In 2024, they registered their company, Nakavu Nabukebuke Investment Pte Limited (NNIPL), shaping a formal pathway to move beyond royalties and step deeper into the gravel value chain. One of their first actions as a company was to re-engage SCIL to negotiate improvements such as an increase in the rate per cubic meter.
SCIL further played an important role in the village’s next milestone. Recognizing the community’s ambition to grow, SCIL advised them to speak with the Vanua Finance team, under the Merchant Finance Pte Limited.
Prior to this, NNIPL had approached several financial institutions but eventually chose Merchant Finance because the customer experience and relationship was both distinct and more closely aligned with their aspirations.
“E levu na baqe keitou a gole kina, ia, au a digitaki Merchant Finance baleta ni sema vinaka vei na vanua au cakacaka kina, ka rawarawa tale ga na nodra veitaratara”says Mr. Apisai Naqamu, the Chairman of the Nakavu Nabukebuke Investment Pte Limited.
English translation: “We visited a lot of the financial institutions but decided to choose Merchant Finance because the services they provide, aligns really well with the work our company is engaged in, and also, communicating with them is very easy”.
Through Vanua Finance, their documents were assessed, the team guided them through compliance requirements, and financing was approved for a two 10-wheeler dump trucks and a 22-tonne excavator.
These assets enabled them to enter the gravel extraction value chain by transporting materials from the river to the stockpile site. NNIPL also began directly employing members of the Nakavu village, ensuring income circulation within the village and providing them with a formal long term employment.
This marks the beginning of their direct involvement in the gravel extraction value chain. Over time, they plan to expand into other activities, including operating an excavator for sand and gravel extraction, or undertaking transportation jobs to BIL sites in Suva.
Furthermore, the NNIPL’s long-term ambitions show a strong focus on sustainability. Within two years, once the company stabilises, a portion of the business profits will be allocated to assist the six Mataqalis in opening up their own respective FHL investment accounts. In addition, leveraging their natural resources, the company intends to establish concrete block production, further widening their participation in the value chain.
