Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources | 2020-2021 COP

0 Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources | 2020-2021 COP

1 INI Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources | 2020-2021 COP


The 2020/2021 Costed Operating Plan (COP) unveils our new

vision and mission that will set our direction during this

unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Vision of ‘Lands and Minerals for Life’ is clear and precise. We will do our utmost to deliver for

Fiji.

The 2020/2021 COP serve to support the Government through:

Creating strong and vibrant planning;

Ensuring affordable and sustainable access to land and mineral resources;

Fostering excellence in service delivery; and

Valuing and investing in our staff, our systems and our processes.

The annual plan strives to achieve the maximum impact with the resources entrusted to us.

We will recognise and respect all interests. We will be accountable and are committed to build healthy

and harmonious relationships with our lessees, stakeholders and investors.

I look forward to working with you all, to collaboratively lift this Ministry to the next level, in building a

Better Fiji For All.

Jone Usamate (Mr)

Hon. Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands & Mineral Resources


The Ministry’s operational and capital expenditure for the year is

being guided by the government’s response to the COVID 19

pandemic which has affected the livelihood of Fijians. The Ministry

has identified three major areas to support government’s plans to

rebuild Fiji.

One of the major areas of focus for the Ministry will be on ensuring agricultural land is available to

Fijians for food security and is an avenue for small enterprises to generate income.

Another is in the collection of ground rental whereby the Ministry will work towards collaborating with

lessees on payment strategies to ease the burden of annual rent to one’s livelihood.

The final focus is in improving how the Ministry conducts its business. It will achieve this by

streamlining its processes, digitizing records, using available technology and software, having a

competent workforce, reviewing relevant legislations and ensuring that all services are provided to the

required standards.

This planning document provides a framework on specific ministerial priorities and objectives for the

year with relevant key performance indicators.

I am confident in the abilities of my staff to achieve the work that has been planned for the Fijian

people. We are committed to implementing the vision of the Ministry which is “Lands and Minerals for

Life”.

Dr. Raijeli Taga (Mrs)

Permanent Secretary for Lands & Mineral Resources


The aim of the Operational Plan is to identify goals, set strategies and actions for the Ministry and to

develop a plan to achieve the Ministry’s goals.

The Operational Plan aims to guide the Executive Management and staff of the Ministry and ensure the

sound management of Government resources. As such, it sets a clear pathway for the Ministry to

achieve those goals within its allocated resources in a timely manner.

Statement of the Ministry’s Core Business To promote sound strategies and policies that will expedite sustainable long term economic

development, and contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change.

To ensure that the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources develops Fiji’s land, groundwater, rock and

mineral resources through prudent and sound management plans; promoting sound policies and

efficient dynamic processes that will guarantee sustainable economic development and environment

protection.

OUR VISION | Lands & Minerals for Life.

OUR MISSION | To effectively administer and regulate the land and mineral sector

through sustainable and transformative legislations and policies.

OUR VALUES |

Honesty and Integrity - We dedicate ourselves to behaving honestly and with integrity in the civil service.

Commitment – We are committed towards strengthening relationships with our customers and stakeholders.

Responsiveness – We ensure to provide timely and sound advice to those who seek our services.

Transparency and Accountability – We are accountable for our actions, and we make transparent decisions based on experience, and sound judgment.

Inclusivity – We are an inclusive organization and will treat all persons equally and fairly.


2020 – 2021 Budget Highlights The total baseline budget for the Ministry in 2020-2021 is $24,876,000 comprising $19,271,000.00 for

operating expenditure, $4,553,500.00 for capital expenditure and VAT of $1,051,600.

BUDGET SUMMARY TABLE

Ministry Budget summary FY2020-2021

Ministry Budget Category Ministry’s Actual

Operating $19,271,000 million

Capital $4,553,500, million

VAT $1,051,600 million

Total $24,876,000 million

Staff Profile Summary Table Ministry Staff profile summary FY2020-2021

Lands Mineral Resources

Staff level Established 264 Established 75

Government Wage Earners 48 Government Wage Earners 21

TOTAL 312 96

Resourcing cost Established $10,813,200

Government Wage Earners $1,005,400

Total 408 Staff $11,818,600

Strategic Workforce Plan The Ministry will be investing in the development of a strategic workforce plan, during FY2020-2021. The strategic workforce plan will augment the Ministry’s capacity for improved business planning and high quality, evidence-based advice.

Customers & Stakeholders We take pride in serving our customers by implementing the ‘Customer Service Charter’ which sets out our commitment to providing high quality standards of services that is beyond customer expectations. Our customers and stakeholders are:

Internal Customers Internal Stakeholders External Stakeholders

Ministerial staff

Lands Department staff

Mineral Resources Department staff

All Government Ministries, Departments & Statutory Bodies

Lessees and Licensees

Mining/Exploration/ Quarry Companies

Landowners

NGOs

Commercial Entities

Communities / Villages

Schools

Local Investors, Overseas Investors

Members of the Public


Functions & Services

1. State Land Administration / Management Processing of all State Land Lease Applications and Preparation/Registration of Lease Documents, Granting Consents to Dealings, Processing of Renewals and Variations, Monitoring of Breaches of State lease Conditions. Processing of Licenses under Regulation 29 & 30 of State Land Leases and Licences Regulation such as River and gravel extraction, canteen operation, transmitter, jetty, dredging etc.

Processing of Ministerial Consents under Sec 6 & 7 of Land Sales Act. Processing and monitoring of all Foreshore leases under Sec 21 & 22 of State Lands Act. Processing of State Schedule A & B land reverted to ITLTB under Cabinet Decision no. 14 & 15 of 2000.

2. Surveying Survey Services and Equipment Calibration, Ensuring Compliance of Survey Practice, Standards & Regulations, Approval of all Surveys Plans in Accordance with Surveyors Regulations, Establishment / Maintenance of Geodetic Network, Management of the Surveyors Registration Board.

3. Valuation Assessments of Unimproved Capital Value for Property Rates for Towns and Cities, Verification of rates payable by Director Lands for Towns and Cities, Refund of rates as required under the Vienna Convention, Periodic Reassessments of Rents on State Land, Verification of Rents on Natives Leases to State, Acquisitions of Land Required for Public Purposes, Compilation and Analysis of Property Market Information and Management of the Valuation Registration Board.

4. Land Use Identification of Idle Land, Consents, Designation, Valuation, Survey and Leasing ensuring Highest and Best Utilization, Equitable Returns to Resources Owners and Tenure Security for Sustainability


5. Geospatial Information Management Development/Maintenance & Distribution of Geospatial Information through the VanuaGIS platform, Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry, Fiji Land Information Databases, Cartography, Statutory Research, Geographical Information Systems, Information Technology, Draughting and Land Information Customer Services.

6. Geological Services The Geological Services Division is tasked with principle responsibilities of developing groundwater resources of Fiji and providing geological hazard assessment and earthquake/tsunami monitoring.

7. Geological Survey The Division comprises of the Geological Mapping Section, the Engineering Geology Section and the Marine Geology Section. The Division provides geoscience information to support and regulate the development of geothermal and mineral resources (metalliferous and industrial) and hydrocarbons within Fiji and its EEZ for the benefit of Fiji and to provide information and advice on geo-hazards (eg. landslides).

8. Environment This Division provides environmental assessment and analysis of resource based development, facilitated by the Ministry and has a regulatory role in ensuring the mining, mineral exploration, quarrying, groundwater development, foreshore development and state leases are in compliance with the Mining Act (1978), Quarries Act (1978), Rivers and Streams Act and Environmental Management Act (2005). In addition environmental condition that is binding in agreement and approved will be monitored by the section.


9. Mines The Mines Division has two major roles. One is to ensure effective and efficient development of Fiji’s mineral sector through regulatory framework that exists in the Mining Act (1965), the Explosives Act (1933), the Quarries Act (1939), Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation Act (1978) and the Environmental Management Act (2005). In addition, the Division is responsible for formulating, reviewing and offering advice on policies, administering mining tenements and facilitating the fair share of mineral royalties (Fair Share of Mineral Royalty Act 2018), OHS and Environment monitoring, social impact assessment and community liaison.

10. Corporate Services The division provides administrative management and policy advice pertaining to the Ministry’s Finance and Human Resource programmes and activities. The division’s core functions have in this regard been aligned to the National Development Plan stipulations on Financial Reform, Civil Service Reform and Good Governance. The division has therefore strived to ensure that these activities were conducted within the legislative framework of government and at the same time fulfilling its supporting role to the dynamics of the ministry’s core functions.

Legislative & Regulatory Responsibilities The Ministry has a complex legislative and regulatory operating environment, consisting of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2013, the Finance Act 2004 (as amended), the Public Service Act 1999 (as amended), the Finance Instructions and Procurement Regulations, and the following specific legislations:

1. Land Use Act 2010 & Land Use Regulations

2. Land Transfer Act

3. Surveyors Act 4. Subdivision of Land Act 5. Agriculture Landlord and Tenant Act 6. Petroleum (Exploration and Exploitation) Act

7. Explosives Act

8. Quarries Act

9. Rivers and Streams Act

10. State Lands Act

11. Land Sales Act

12. Valuers Registration Act

13. State Acquisition of Lands Act

14. Mining Act

15. Property Law Act

16. Civil Service Act

17. Continental Shelf Act

18. International Seabed Mineral Management Act

19. iTaukei Lands Act

20. Fairshare of Mineral Royalties Act 2018

Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources | 2020-2021 COP

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