What problems did some 75-year land leases create for ni-Vanuatu landowners?

While the 1980 constitution of Vanuatu mandates that all land remains under indigenous customary collective ownership and cannot be sold to foreigners, the government began allowing land to be leased for 75-year periods to accommodate foreign interest in development.1

These long-term leases have frequently been negotiated to the disadvantage of ni-Vanuatu landowners. A primary concern involves provisions requiring customary owners to pay the full cost of any developments made on the land if they wish to regain possession at the end of the 75-year term. Because these costs can be prohibitive, there is significant concern that such lease agreements will effectively result in the permanent alienation of lands that are central to ni-Vanuatu culture and identity.12