Vision aimed at land,
THE Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is focused on bringing life to our lessees and revitalise all potential state land or mineral areas in Fiji. In line with their theme ‘Lands and Minerals for Life’ a total of 14 capital projects are being undertaken by the Ministry to achieve this vision. However, the construction of Core Repository Storage Facility and upgrade of Geodetic Datum are the two projects that the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources aim to complete.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic affecting the world economy, the Ministry’s contribution towards the Fijian Government’s endeavour to stimulate the economy, promote investors’ confidence and foster adequate local food supply are the preservation of state agriculture land, strengthen ground rent collection, establish a moratorium on agriculture land in the next 18 months to name a few.
There are a few challenges the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources face as well, the recent tropical cyclones that devastated Fiji. It has impacted the Ministry’s Annual Work Plan specifically on the major capital and operational projects.
Although faced with numerous unforeseen challenges and issues like the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, which demanded a change in the way they do business, the ministry has learned to re-strategise, adopt, adapt and be smart in the ‘new normal’.
The Department of Information’s (DEPTFO) FELIX LESINAIVALU caught up with the line Minister Jone Usamate where he posed some questions on a number of these issues.
DEPTFO: I understand that the vision for the Lands and Mineral Resources 2020/2021 is ‘Lands and Minerals for Life’. Could you please elaborate on this?
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate: The vision of the Ministry sets the ministry in the direction it wishes to go especially during this global COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry’s vision is clear and precise that all staff will do their utmost to deliver for Fiji.
The new vision is something that the ministry/staff must understand and know and be able to relate it to everyone’s job description.
All staffs are expected to know by heart and discuss the ministry vision in their weekly meetings. ‘Without vision the people perish’, as stated in the holy book. We are focused on bringing life to our lessees and revitalise all potential state land/ mineral areas in Fiji.
The new vision strengthens our commitment to the SDGs and Fiji’s
DEPTFO: What are some of the planned capital projects for the Ministry? How many are expected to be complete this year (2021)?
Minister Usamate: Planned for the Ministry;
• Groundwater Assessment and Development for Small Islands
• Groundwater Assessment and Development for Large Islands
• Mineral Investigations Programme (MIP)
• Construction of Core Repository Storage Facility
• Purchase of Technical Equipment
• National Geodetic Infrastructure
• Survey of Government Property iTaukei Land
• Survey of Mahogany Plantations
• Upgrade of Geodetic Datum
• Periphery Boundary Survey of NG2
• 11)Maintenance of Existing Subdivision
• Development of State Land
• Fiji Geospatial Information
• Development of iTaukei
Bank Investment capital
Landprojects on
Land
• From the above listed projects, the ministry is expected to complete the
•following this year:
• Construction of Core Repository Storage Facility; and
• Upgrade of Geodetic Datum.
• The remaining projects should be completed in the years to come, as they are rollover projects.
DEPTFO: With the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affecting the budget allocation to various Government ministries, how has the Ministry fared?
Minister Usamate: Being natural, immovable and non-renewable, land is a distinct resource essential for production.
• The regulatory role in administrating all state land including the mineral resources and groundwater sources empowers the Ministry to administer, establish legal framework and policies, manage and monitor land-mineral related resources for sustainable development and growth.
• Accordingly, during these challenging times of the global pandemic (COVID19) and economic crisis (global, regional and national level), the Ministry’s contribution towards the Government’s endeavour to stimulate the economy, promote investors’ confidence and foster adequate local food supply are summarised below:
Preservation of State Agriculture Land:
• The Ministry to encourage retainment of agricultural leases through identification of
idle and vacant land to be advertised and utilized for agriculture use.
• Also must ensure compliance to climate change, REDD+, Green Growth Framework; DTCP Zoning Master plan;
• Strengthen collaboration amongst government agencies e.g. Ministry of Agriculture; DTCP and Ministry of Sugar. Strengthen Ground Rent Collection:
• Award lessees through discount etc, that pay their rental in advance or earlier than expected.
• Continue to encourage ‘Undertakings’ for rent arrears with given options but need to closely monitor this.
• Empowerment of rental arrears collection team to issue notices and charges on rent defaulters.
• More media releases, lessees consultation and awareness on lease conditions.
• Implementation of ‘Waiver of Interest’. Establish a moratorium on agriculture land – next 18 months:
• The moratorium should deter and halt all rezoning applications and plans for other uses.
• This should encourage farmers to cultivate their lands hence increase local food supply and security.
• Also, work with Ministry of Agriculture for the supply of farming assistance such as land preparations, seedlings, planting, fertilizers, etc.
Ease of Doing Business:
Review and streamlining of processes
Timeliness – All divisions must ensure to work within time line as stated in the SOP.
This consequently would encourage investors’ confidence because of the effectiveness and efficiency of service deliveries.
Digitisation – Having all records (plans, maps etc.) on soft copies will contribute to more reliable and accurate data.
Also provide profound information for sound decision making.
As the result, better/effective land records would have effect on our services through promoting effectiveness and efficiency thus increase revenue e.g. map sales, customised maps, data sales.
Geodetic Datum – The completion and