Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697756978046.pdf (Fiji)
APPENDICES Appendix 1 Written Evidence Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources PARLIAMENT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY OF LANDS AND MINERAL RESOURCES ANNUAL REPORT: 2016 - 2017 “CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES” 26/01/2021 1 QUESTIONS 1.

Reference to page 3 of the annual report: a) Can the Ministry provide names of the twenty eight (28) villages that were identified for relocation, what is the progress to date?
As part of the ministry’s contribution towards the Post TC Winston rehabilitation activity, a team was tasked to carry out the relocation assessment survey (Refer to Annexure 1).

Although there were 28 villages identified, the team had assessed and identified more than 28 villages that were to be relocated as the result of TC Winston.

The assessment involved identification of landslide and landslide prone areas, rock falls and slope failures, coastal erosion along the access roads and village coastlines.
Land issues were required to be resolved before the final sites were confirmed.

Also, the team had to ensure that the relocated sites did not fall along the geological fault lines (that ran through village boundaries).

All these assessment reports were compiled and submitted to either the respective offices; namely Commissioner/Roko/Provincial.

List is tabulated below: No.

1.

Name of Island Kor o 2.

3.

4.

5.


Vanua Levu Batik i Moturik i R a Village (s) 1) Nabasovi 2) Tavua 3) Navaga 4) Kade 5) Mucu 6) Nakodu 7) Namacu 8) Sinuvaca 9) Naqaidamu 10) Nasau 11) Nacamaki 12) Nabuna 13) Nacekoro 14) Naweni 15) Nukubalavu 16) Naigani 17) Uluibau 18) Daku 19) Yanuca 20) Nabukadrau 2 6.

Ovalau 7.

Tailevu 8.


Vanua Balavu 21) Tokou 22) Natokalau 23) Vuma 24) Toki 25) Vatukalo 26) Nauouo 27) Arovudi 28) Taviya 29) Rukuruku 30) Qoma 31) Qelekuro 32) Dakuinuku 33) Nasinu 34) Driti 35) Silana 36) Narocivo 37) Namalata 38) Susui 39) Dakuilomaloma 40) Sawana 41) Levukana 42) Boitaci 43) Muamua 44) Daliconi 45) Avea 46) Mualevu 47) Lomaloma b) Can the Ministry give a brief detail of the “on-line lease registration”?
• On-Line Lease Registration – The Register of Titles office is responsible for the on-line registration of leases.

Our team can only follow up on-line on the state land leases.

• On-line lease applications – Application forms and checklist for ‘type of lease applied for’ are available on the ministry website.

Also available is the relevant state land advertisement for reference purposes.

The ministry has yet to develop the online services.

2.
2.

Reference to page 12 of the annual report, heading “Challenges” – Can the Ministry brief the committee on the reasons for the lack of Registered Surveyors - is it still a challenge?

What is the Surveyor Registration Board doing to increase the number of surveyors?

3 The lack of registered surveyors in government resulted in the high number of resignation of young surveyors to operate their own private firm and also the retirement of ageing surveyors.
The last surveyors to be registered by the Board was in 2012.

The Ministry together with the Surveyors Registration Board is working on enhancing collaboration with corporate entities, private surveying company to address the shortage of surveyors.

Also, it provide incentives to young graduates vying for registration.
As the result of the above initiative, there were 9 new Registered Surveyors from 2017 – 2020: • 2017 – 3; • 2018 – 1; • 2019 – 4; and • 2020 – 1 It is anticipated that 2 surveyors are to be registered in 2021.

Further, the ministry will ensure two or more graduates will get registered every financial year by the Surveyors Registration Board.

The Surveyors’ Registration Board has approved 24 graduates to carry out their projects for their registration.
The total Registered Surveyors in Fiji as of January 2021 is 42.

Twenty seven (27) of these are above the age of 55 years (equivalent to 64%); while fifteen (15) are below the age of 55 (equivalent to 36%).

Only five (5) from the 42 Registered Surveyors are working in government (equivalent to 12%); while thirty-seven (37) are working in the private sector (equivalent to 88%).

3.
3.

Reference to page 31 of the annual report, point number 5 under the Highlight subheading, Can the Ministry brief the Committee on the location of the accident and the outcome of the investigation?

Was the conveyance of the hazardous material was in compliance with the Dangerous Goods Act?

Cyanide Spill Accident at Wailotua, Wainibuka along the Kings Highway.

MY Transport Company had been transporting cyanide to Vatukoula Gold Mine Limited.
The Mineral Resources Department (MRD) was advised by VGML on the accident that the truck loaded with container of cyanide chemical veered off the road and ended in the creek.

The team managed to contact all emergency centres including NFA, Police, Ministry of Health, WAF, OHS (Ministry of Labour), ORICA Company regarding the incident.
4 All stakeholders were at the sight to assist the Department in removing the container with caution as the team are all aware of the environment and health impact of cyanide in the environment especially the creek.

The MRD team with WAF conducted water sampling on hourly basis to determine traces of cyanide spill in the water system.
Tests were also conducted using the cyanide spill kit which was carried out for 1 week in that area where the accident happened; and also at the Wainibuka downstream (about 10km) from the accident site.

The team managed to remove the container without any cyanide spill in the system, and had also monitored the site for 2 days, after the incident occurred to confirm that no cyanide trace in the river system.
An update was provided to the media by the then Permanent Secretary on March 1, 2016 (Refer to Annexure 2).

4.

Fiji being the champion for Climate Change, the committee wish to share its concern on the continuation of reclaiming foreshores.

Can the Ministry explain how these reclamation of mangrove growth areas are being approved?
The Foreshore process include the following: • Stage 1 - Consultation & Consent from Fishing Rights • Stage 2 - Acceptance and Vetting of Application • Stage 3 – Environment Impact Assessment(EIA) & Fisheries Impact Assessment(FIA) Survey Consultation • Stage 4 - Referral to Mangrove Management Technical Committee and Review of Report • Stage 5 - Compensation Payment & Public Advertisement • Stage 6 - Lease Preparation/execution and registration of lease/license • Stage 7 - Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting * The above process is quite thorough and a lengthy exercise.
However, this is done to ensure that all related and affected parties and stakeholders are being adequately consulted and fairly compensated.

The Foreshore unit is also responsible in the monitoring of these foreshore development and rehabilitation activities and programs.

5.

Can the Ministry explain the following: a) What is the annual rent fee?

Annual rent is the rent charged annually on a lease document which is payable two times a year (31st January & 31st July).
Rent reassessments vary according to the different classes of lease issued.

Some are reassessed every 5, 10, 15 and 25 years respectively.

These assessed rentals are calculated by the government registered valuers 5 b) Why the 2016 Rent Arrears not shown in the report?

It was an oversight that the 2016 rent arrears was not reflected in the report.

A summary of the 2016 rent arrears is attached (Refer to Annexure 3).

c) How much fell into arrears?


What was the ratio of Arrears for the year to Annual Rent?

Based on the existing CLLS system record in 2016, there were approximately a total of 16,333 leases.

From the 16,333 leases, 7,322 leases were in arrears at the beginning of 2016 (44.8%).

These 7,322 leases comprises a total of $14,161,016.61 of rental arrears.
Lease Rental Arrears by Division: Central Eastern Western Northern Division Total Amount of Rental Arrears $5,157,509.96 $990,684.60 $8,012,822.05 $14,161,016.61 6.

Has the 2 Qualified Opinions by the Auditor General been resolved?

Please elaborate more?

Both qualified opinion have been resolved.


Qualified Opinion 1 ✓ The Ministry has strengthened reconciliation of revenue received together with Cash Analysis against the Crown Land Lease its internal processes through daily verification and ➢ The variance was due to: i.

The expired leases not updated to the CLLS for those agencies that make one-off payments for large listings of lessees such as Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), Post Fiji and Housing Authority.
Payment was received in bulk from FSC but upon updating this payment to the individual account (Oracle System) it shows that their lease has been expired.

ii.

The inconsistency in the timeframe for processing of renewal of leases.

✓ The Way Forward in addressing the issue was to activate expired leases accounts in CLLS for the purpose of receipting and deactivate them at the end of the process.

Qualified Opinion 2 ➢ The issue was concerning Revolving Fund Allocation (RFA) .
The Ministry has strictly adhered to the appropriate procedures in the issuance and clearance of Accountable Advance.

6 ➢ In regards to the Expenditure – The Ministry has ensured that all expenditures incurred are cleared within the same financial year ➢ All payments are facilitated through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) and monitored through monthly reconciliation.

7.

How is the Ministry addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG’s?

No.
No.

1) Sustainable Development Goal Goal 6: Clean water and Sanitation Ministry Contribution Groundwater Development How they Are Addressed • The Groundwater development for 2016/2017 focused mainly Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

This was due to the unavailability of consistent shipping services to the targeted small maritime islands hindering timely transportation of equipment, assessment and drilling works.
• There were a total of 35 site assessments and investigations conducted in 2016/2017, with an additional 77 reconnaissance site surveys undertaken.

• On borehole drilling, a total of 31 boreholes were drilled and developed out of the annual target of 25.

From the 31 boreholes drilled, 19 (61%) boreholes were successful.

• A total of 12 reticulation works were conducted in 2016 /2017 which benefitted more than 200 households.
• The groundwater project progress implementation for 2016/2017 continues to show growing interest by the general public in groundwater as a source for water supply.

This is one of Government’s initiatives to develop and empower the rural communities to have clean and safe water supply.

• The Department continues to survey and investigate potential groundwater sites in order to increase production and access to sustainable clean and safe drinking water.
• The Department will continue to drill more boreholes and linked to standard reticulation systems and supplied to households.

2) Goal 13: Climate Action Environment • The periodic monitoring of the illegal river gravel extraction around the two main islands Viti Levu and Vanualevu.
• The formulation of the draft River Gravel Extraction Guideline and quarry approval process • The ministry took a lead role in the monitoring of an accident site involving a truck transporting the chemical cyanide, the monitoring of rehabilitation during the year, Nawailevu Bauxite Mine and Nasaucoko Manganese Mine.

• Also the strengthening of inter-agency collaborations through forums and joint-inspections between Department of Environment, iTLTB and Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.
7 3) Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities Housing Contribution Regularization of settlements Division Central informal Eastern (4) Western (5) Northern (4) Location/Total • Tokotoko DSS 2053 (Navua) • Salumi (Kinoya) DSS 2070 • Wainadoi DSS 2073 (Navua) • Fulaga St – DSS 2064 • Field 40 • Natabua Squatters • Tavola Squatters (Near Tramline Ba H/Centre) • Kulukulu • Volivoli (Rakiraki ra) Settlement • Valebasoga Stage 2 & 3 • Boca Stage 1 & 2 • Dreketi • Naveria 89 ANs were (Kinoya, issued Tokotoko, Naulu, Issuance of Approval Notice Central Eastern Wainivedio, Vakacegu and Naitata ) 4) Goal 15: Life on land Food Security 5) Goal 5: Gender Equality Gender Issuance of Renewal of Agricultural Leases A total of 66 lessees in the Western Division received their registered agricultural lease documents Refer to question 11 8.
Can the Ministry provide the committee on the strategies implemented as way forward in terms of tackling the challenges stated from August 2016 – July 2017?

No.

Challenges Way Forward 1.

2.

3.

4.

Improper execution of the Annual Work Annual Work Plans (AWPs) to be followed stringently, and considerations for ad-hoc Programmes (AWP) for the Capital work to be incorporated.

Project.
Project.

No proper Feasibility Study conducted Feasibility studies are done strictly prior for particular projects which led to delay in work.

Poor coordination with Procurement team on procurement processes for Capital works.

Training on procurement processes to be attended officers.

Familiarisation of budget allocation and to Budget Submissions.

by responsible/appropriate Lack of monitoring of budget utilisation utilization.

for ministry projects.


Assign team leaders to monitor budget on monthly basis and report to Divisional Heads.

8 5.

Shortage of Registered Surveyors Strengthen capacity building so that individuals are encouraged to pursue surveyors’ registration in order to perform land survey functions effectively and efficiently.

6.

7. of Irregular meeting authoritative bodies to endorse capital purchases.

Delay in the Purchasing of the Acquisition of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

8.
8.

Lack of proper market research.

external Management and involvement in order to push for stagnant procedures.

intervention Proper coordination with the Ministry Procurement unit on one-off purchases.

Proper market research to be conducted prior to budget submissions and proper planning.

9.

10.

Renewal of iTaukei Lease did not meet Higher authority intervention to be target for the financial year due to stringent external factors.

sought or explored.
sought or explored.

Ministry to hold radio talk back shows Misunderstanding by the public on the and road-shows to engage the public in roles and responsibilities of the Division.

correct disseminating information in regards to the role of the ministry and the processes involved.

and factual Staff Turnover - A total of six (6) staffs 11. resigned for greener pastures and side transfers.

12.

Staff retention.


The Corporate Services Division (CSD) to have a retention plan in order to secure the staffs currently employed Division.

The CSD to develop a Retention Policy for scarce technical officers.

Adamant researches to be made by the at the CSD Staff in need of training in appropriate Division in close consultation with fields of work, which are scarce locally.

Training Unit on the Training needs of the Low turnout of landowners at the consultation/awareness meetings.

Division.
Division.

To explore other forms of disseminating information to the landowners through radio stations and the local dailies.

The low turn-out of stakeholders during Working together in close collaboration consultation.

13.

14.

15.

16. the be Consultation process, companies must with stakeholders.

During exploration thoroughly briefed on “village by-laws”.

Adherence to Procedures (SOPs).


SOP to be reviewed and realistic timelines to be amended where applicable for the benefit of both workers and clients the Standard Operating Exploration companies not adhering to village laws “Code of Conduct” 17.

Delay in processing of applications.

18.

Delay in applications sent to other government departments.

9 Landowner issues and delay in Higher authority intervention for 19. from other response agencies in regards to application processing.

government 20.
government 20.

Lack of operational vehicles delays teams’ movement that need to meet request and vehicle are limited to 4wd tracks only.

Teams are often tracking for hours before the actual mapping can commence or any other assessment Limited resources such as field laptops, 21. as more than one team can be out on field duties concurrently.

22.

Managing and monitoring of the environment through enforcement of environmental laws.

applications that are with other govt.


agencies, as it delays the whole process and production line.

In many cases, the ministry has to bear the blame.

Liaise with Manager Finance on the possibility of acquiring more appropriate vehicles.

Submissions to be made on the procurement of more field laptops in order to carry out work more effectively and efficiently.

On-going monitoring of rehabilitation sites.

Re-strategizing to adopt a more efficient system of data gathering and interpretation.
Also, the review of work processes and policy directives to be adopted.

Strengthen the unit’s role in the EIA Lack of monitoring and notification given to the companies of any breaches process through conducting EIA reviews to the related Acts and conditions set out for these operations.

Monitoring expenses and safety eg equipment costs and access to remote areas.

to identify and record impacts on the environment and communities.
Provision considering the different seasons and weather changes emergency of funding from Delays authorities.

other approving Consistent follow-up to be done and to intervention higher authority sought where necessary.

Divisional Heads to be reminded to take responsibility of their outputs under be Delays formulating of Cabinet Paper.

submissions in for in other intervention especially from the Output 1.

Higher comments obtaining government ministries.


Inclusion of ad-hoc activities while planning for the operational budget in the annual work plan (AWP).

At times, instructions from higher authority must be prioritized.

Incentives to be given to those who wish Ad-hoc work being carried out which leads to some major outputs not achieved.

Low return of the lease arrears collection, as some clients not adamant to make payments eg ‘Waiver of on paying arrears.

Interest’.

10 23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

9.


Can the Ministry quantify the number of expired agricultural leases around Fiji and how many leases were renewed from August 2016 – July 2017?

Expired Agriculture Leases Total 121 977 113 District North West Central Eastern TOTAL 1,211 Renewed Agriculture Leases Total 21 74 4 99 District North West Central Eastern TOTAL 10.

How many rating valuations were carried out by the Ministry for municipalities during the operational year, August 2016 – July 2017?
• Nadi Town valuation was undertaken which included 2,722 properties.

• Various letters were also written to Suva, Lami, Nasinu, Levuka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and Savusavu Town Council and Ministry of Local Government and to undertake valuation of their municipalities, however Councils proceeded on their valuation in 2020.

11.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 empowers women and girls “Gender Equality” – how is the Ministry committing to SDG 5 in terms of all its operations?
Please provide a brief summary of the ratio of women in the workforce.

➢ 2016 – Out of the 62 vacancies advertised 14 vacancies were filled by women.

➢ 2017 – Out of the 96 vacancies advertised 34 vacancies were filled by women.

12.

Reference to page 32 – Challenges - How effective is the enforcement of the Environment Laws within the Environment Division of the Ministry in regards to company breaches and the costing of such exercise?

Environment monitoring is conducted when complaints are received.
It is carried out on a monthly basis for mines, quarries, tenement together with other operations within the ministry.

There is a need to strengthen the monitoring role of the division with the support of the Department of Environment through joint inspection.

11 In 2019, the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources managed to create positions and recruit officers for River Gravel Monitoring which are deployed to the divisions.
Their role is basically monitoring of illegal extraction, breaches in EIA approval and license conditions.

It’s a 1 year project post with budget allocated for this positions.

This was the outcome of the UNDP project on Neglected Development Mineral for monitoring of illegal river gravel and sand extraction in Fiji.

Awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of Environment on the gazetting of Environment Inspectors for the ministry since the establishment of the ministry’s Environment Division.

13.
13.

Reference to page 38, key output 2, The Ministry resolved 37 complaints, how many complaints was received by the Ministry?

• Total received – 46 • Total Resolved – 37 • Total Pending – 9 Complaints are registered as and when received either by the responsible unit or by the divisional offices after which the process of handling complaints begins.

14.
14.

Reference to page 38: a) Under the heading Policy, Planning (Land) & Quality Assurance Division, Can the Ministry brief the committee on the state land arrears collected for Project Saumia?

The Project Saumia focuses on the collection of state land lease rental arrears.

In the 2016/2017 financial year, a total of $13,570,432.52 was collected.

The total target was $15m, hence 90.4% was achieved.
The project comprises 2 project officers who identified, verified and travelled to the field to visit the lessees as per annual work plan.

These project officers were also assisted by the established staffs in the Quality Assurance unit.

During field deployments, lessees are being reminded and informed on their role and responsibilities to fulfil the lease conditions.

Deployment and monthly reports are prepared and submitted to Management for their update.
A significant challenge faced during the collection was the impact of TC Winston in early 2016.

Most lessees had financial difficulties in paying their lease rental including the arrears.

b) Furthermore, can the Ministry provide state land arrears for the whole of Fiji?

There is a difference of figures in highlights and key outputs on harmonized lands, a figure of 1,611 and 1,494, please clarify?

12 The annual target for the harmonisation team in 2016 was 1,500.
The team actually harmonised 1,611 leases during the 2016/2017 financial year (achievement of 107.4% as mentioned on p.38).

Out of the 1,611 leases that were harmonized, the team managed to update a total of 1,494 leases in the state land database.

The balance of 117 leases required further verification and deliberation from either the lessees, divisional offices and/or external parties such as Registrar of Titles or the court.

15.
15.

Reference to page 41 under the heading key performance areas - General Administration – Can the ministry give an update on the number of missing files during August 2016 to July 2017?

Missing files normally occur due to staff negligence where files have been moved by staff without any marking in the oracle or system or evidence of dispatch in the manual dispatch book.
There is no actual record of number of files missing, nevertheless, perceived missing files are usually circulated via emails to all staffs as and when a missing file occurs, for which staffs with the files would then inform the email sender.

16.

Can the Ministry explain the delay in the review of visitor charges for Nukulau?

The Ministry intends to submit a review of the fees upon the completion of works towards upgrading Nukulau Island facilities.
The island currently receives an Annual Budget of $15,000, which is used generally for island maintenance.

13 PARLIAMENT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY OF LANDS AND MINERAL RESOURCES ANNUAL REPORT: 2017 - 2018 “CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES” 1 QUESTIONS 1) Reference to page 7 of the annual report please clarify below: a) Can the Ministry provide a list of the Buy Back Land Schemes in Fiji and the current status of each in terms of land mass and arrears?
No LAND NAME TIKINA PROVINCE AREA (Ha) Arrears DEDEGA MATAKUNEA DAWASAMU TAILEVU 11.5587 $42,032.84 NAVATU CAKAUDROVE 22.7 $121,559.60 NAMAQUMAQUA SERUA SERUA MARAKALULU NAITASIRI NAITASIRI TOVA NAKOROTUBU RA MACUATA MACUATA 13.9945 71.6714 62.3747 8.2578 $165,576.67 $88,442.50 $36,417.37 $165,577 MATASAWALEVU MACUATA MACUATA 5.8171 $66,940 VAKABALEA KORODOGO SERUA SERUA DOGOTUKI MACUATA MATAVATUCOU SAWAKASA TAILEVU 38.4932 202.34 48.8633 10 NUKULOA SAVUSAVU CAKAUDROVE 20.2543 $153,900 $24,000 $53,100 $96,714 11 12 13 VUNIVESI SAWAKASA TAILEVU 19.628 $121,183.50 NASOQO MATACADRA Total NABAITAVO NAITASIRI WAINIBUKA TAILEVU 60.705 80.94 $291,273.93 $145,000 667.598 $1,571,717.08 b) Can the Ministry identify the 91 provinces under the designated i’Taukei Land?
The list is appended.

Provided is the list of the 91 designated land By Province.

2) In reference to page 9, under the subheading “New Initiative”, can the Ministry enlighten the committee on the following: a) The progress of commercial grazing and the introduction of Australian Holstein cows?

The period 2017-2018 saw the active consultation with the investors where 5,000 plus acres of land in Nadala highlands was identified for big scale commercial beef and dairy farming due to its favourable altitude.
However, the inability of the investor to secure a piece of state land in Ra [RR 36] for their stock pile and operations due to its proximity to Ellington port delayed the timely implementation of this project.

As of to–date, the leasing arrangement has been suspended.

b) The Natadola biomass Energy solar and windmill farm in Batiri, Natadola through its marketing strategies?
2 The American Investors operating by the name Infinite Power Company had secured the designated land in Noinatogo for their renewable energy development but was not able to secure and obtain the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) a significant component of their operation with EFL which drastically affected their ability to set-up operations in Fiji.

The company has now rescinded their lease offer and withdrawn operations from Fiji.
3) Page 13 – Challenges: What has the Ministry done to avoid high staff turnover under the Geospatial Information Division?

The ministry has taken the following actions to address the high staff turnover: i. ii.

iii.

Encouraged more internship programmes to groom its base grade incumbents and create a larger pool source of employees; Participated in the whole of government Job Evaluation Exercise which saw the increase of salaries for specialised positions.
Salaries were benchmarked against market rates; and Actively pursued contract employment for temporary staffs through intensive recruitment exercise.

4) Can the Ministry elaborate on the strategies implemented in encountering the challenges as mentioned across all divisions?

Apart from the suggested way forward mentioned alongside the challenges for the respective divisions, the ministry actively pursue SWOT periodic analysis which is used for planning activities to address challenges faced.
5) Page 17: Valuation Division.

Can the ministry elaborate on the archaic acts that is still guiding the Valuation division, is there any progress on the review of such acts?

The local government Act is one of the Act that needs to be reviewed in areas that captures the Unimproved Capital Value (UCV).

However, this Act is not administrated by the ministry.
The valuation work is also guided by the State Lands Act on the rental clause of 6% of UCV, the State Acquisition of Lands and the professional fees in the Valuer’s Fees by Laws – 1986.

It is in our view that the 6% UCV needs to be reviewed.

There had been proposal for the State Land Act to be reviewed however due to budget constraints, this did not eventuate.
Further, a Terms of Reference (TOR) was prepared for the proposed Land Valuation Act whereby a consultant was identified, however due to budget constraints, this also did not progress.

Through the Land Valuation Act, all the valuation aspect of work will be consolidated with Director of Lands as the controlling authority.

6) Reference to page 18: Survey Division.

Can the Ministry explain the functions of the CORS stations?
The Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) collects and records (in an automotive manner) the Global Position Satellite (GPS) data at a known location with the specified position.

3 Relevant users and parties such as Surveyors, Geospatial Developer, Engineers and scientists who collect GPS data through modern equipment such as GPS equipment, are able to access data from the CORS to apply differential correction to improve the precision of their positions.
Such positioning data are used to map out the location of critical infrastructure such as hospital, health centres, bridges, jetty, villages, EFL sub station, schools, evacuation centres to name a few.

Positioning is also critical in disaster preparedness and post disaster rehabilitation.

7) Page 22, Survey Division: a) Is the Ministry content with the current arrangement of surveying iTaukei Lands for state leasing?

Yes, the ministry is content with the current arrangement.
The acquiring of ITaukei Land to be leased to state follows the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) leasing process.

b) Can the Ministry explain the process of acquiring iTaukei land to be leased to the state?

Upon receiving interest of a subject land from government agencies, relevant applications are made to TLTB.

Once TLTB offers the land for leasing, analysis of rental offer, premium and lease conditions are undertaken with necessary negotiations with TLTB.
c) The process of regularizing informal settlements?

Before any regularization takes place, a socio-economic survey is conducted to record details of the sitting occupants.

This includes the confirmation of the number of existing houses.

This is done to ensure that no new house is built when surveying is in progress.

After the survey works are completed, a scheme plan is prepared and submitted to the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) for approval.
Once the scheme plan is approved, a second socio-economic survey is carried out to verify and to reconfirm the number of occupant from the previous socio-economic survey.

Only registered occupant from the first socio-economic survey is regularized given that the scheme plan was designed to regularize those sitting occupants.

Any new occupant (that came after the survey was done) will be moved to another (available) settlement.
8) Page 27, Geological Services Division: Can the Ministry name the borehole sites in each division which were drilled under the year reviewed?

A total of 21 boreholes were drilled within the financial year 2017/2018 as tabulated below: No.
Division 1) North Province Bua Location Nasaisavua villge, Kubulau 4 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) Cakaudrove Macuata Nadroga Serua Tailevu Lau Western Central Eastern Navasua Government Station, Kubula Navatu village, Kubulau Ratu Emeri Primary School, Kubulau.
Wailailai Settlement, Wainunu Nautoloulou, Wainunu Lekutu Government Station, Lekutu Nalovo, Taveuni Namawa Estate, Savusavu Maravu Estate, Savusavu Benau Estate, Savusavu Wina Estate, Savusavu Vatudamu Estate, Savusavu Dreka Settlement, Batiri Nakanacagi Village St. Peter School 2, Korolevu Votua Lailai Ratu Latianara High School Vatani village, Kaba Tai District School Cikobia Is, Vanua balavu 9) Can the Ministry brief the committee on the process and timelines involved in renewing land leases?
Briefly listed below is the process involved in the renewing of leases: 1.

The lessees are to be notified 6 months prior to expiry of lease on their lease status and if they intent to renew their lease or not; 2.

After which, 15-days is given for inspection and preparation of submission to Director Lands (DL) for approval, should the lessee agree to renew their lease.

The process will only continue upon DL’s consent for renewal; 3.
When consent is given by DL, within 5 days, diagrams are prepared, rental assessments are conducted and lease offer are also prepared; 4.

The lessee is given up to 1 month to accept the offer 5.

Once the offer is accepted, the lease document is given to the lessee who is given 6 months to execute the documents(sign and witnessed by a lawyer) and to return the document; 6.

The executed lease documents is submitted to HQ for registration within 3 months 7.
Upon receiving the registered lease documents, within 2 days the documents are to be returned to the respective divisions to notify the lessee to pay rental dues (if any) and to collect their lease.

10) What are the challenges faced by the Ministry in regards to the backlog of lease application?

Most of the challenges faced by the ministry are beyond its control.

Applications are processed accordingly, however delays occur due to the following reasons: i. ii.

iii.
iii.

Non acceptance of offer letter by lessee; The lessee has deceased and the beneficiaries have difficulty in extracting probate; in ability to pay the required fees; 5 iv.

v. Dispute amongst lessee's (cases where there is more than one lessee); and Lessee has migrated without informing the ministry (change in address) or a foreigner.
In order to overcome these challenges, the staffs would provide advice and organise meetings with lessee or beneficiaries in regards to the various process listed below: i. ii.

iii.

How a probate can be extracted; Arrangement of undertaking for cases of rental dues or lending institutions to agree to pay; and Resolving disputes.

11) Page 29, Geological Services Division: How many early warning systems have been installed and what are their operational status/way forward?
A total of 13 Tsunami Siren have been installed and are in operation in areas from Kinoya to Lami.

The seismology section in collaboration with National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) undertake monthly Siren performance Test, public Awareness and the planning for the extension of the Tsunami Siren Network.

Currently, there are 3 seismic station operational and 3 non-operational.

The upgrade of the 6 VSAT station is currently in the initial stages of procurement.
Timely procurement and installation is critical to avoid non-operational of the seismic network.

12) Page 32, Environment Division a) What is the relationship or link between the Environment Division under the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Environment?

The environment division of the ministry is mandated under the Environment Management Act 2005 (EMA) to monitor and also provide advice to the Director of Environment who is the EIA Administrator.
Accordingly, the environment division of the ministry not only contributes to the compilation of the EIA report but is also its enforcement arm of the EMA (Part 5).

b) Can the Ministry explain the process of Environment Impact Assessment and its timeframe in obtaining this assessment reports?

The environment division of the ministry monitors and ensure that all the requirements in the report are met.

The environment division carry out random monitoring and the inspection of sites.
There are three major parts to the EIA process: i.

Screening : Application for screening of a proposal 1) Every proponent of a development proposal must apply for screening of the proposal in accordance with these regulations and section 27 of the Act.

6 2) A proponent who wishes to apply for screening of a proposal must apply to the approving authority on Form 1 in Schedule 1 to these Regulations and pay the prescribed fee.

ii.
ii.

Scoping : The purpose of scoping of a proposal is to establish the scope of the EIA study on the proposal and to decide the terms of reference (“TORs”) 1) Site inspection - proposed inspection at least 7 days after the noticed is served.

2) Collecting samples (water, soil etc.)

3) Consultation and public participation 4) Scoping meeting 5) Preparation of TOR 6) TOR meetings 7) Compilation of TOR iii.
EIA STUDY - EIA study on a proposal is— 1) To identify and assess the potential environmental and resource management impacts of the proposal; 2) To recommend appropriate methods to eliminate or mitigate those impacts; 3) To enable the proponent to modify the proposal by mitigating potentially significant impacts before an EIA report is produced; and 4) To facilitate the production of an EIA report on the proposal.

The EIA report is to be submitted to the processing authority within 12 months.
c) Has the Ministry considered reviewing its annual operational plan in view of the current economic climate brought by the pandemic and recent cyclones?

YES, the Ministry is in the process of reviewing its Business plan and work plans through consultation with the Senior Management.
This is to assist the unit in facilitating the process for proposed developments approved by the ministry and also in the monitoring of the impact of this development current economic climate brought by the pandemic and recent cyclones.
For the environment division it include the following:   the processing of application for the proposed River Gravel and Sand extraction for road upgrades, construction purpose and other uses such as hard rock quarrying; and compliance to EIA monitoring and license in terms of operation for workforce retention and employment to these companies.

d) Does the Ministry have a one-stop-shop service?


YES, in terms of Environment Assessment and approvals to proposed development within the ministry for example License and EIA/EMP monitoring.

13) Challenges and Way Forward has been highlighted in all the divisions under the period being reviewed.

How effective is the staff retention policy considering the resignation of fully trained and experienced staff?
7 The ministry is aligned to the government reform guidelines on Recruitment & Selection, Job Evaluation, Learning & Development Guideline and Performance Management.

Listed below are the retention activities that have been actively pursued: increasing salaries for scarce skilled position was part of the Job Evaluation Exercise(JEE);   training incentives through the Learning & Development Guideline;  contract employment through OMRS; and  Performance pay under the PMF.
Generally, the ministry scarce skill professions such as Surveyors, Valuer’s, Miners, Geologist are also scarce in the market and whilst government has actively pursued to reform initiatives to retain staffs, the private and lucrative offers outside the ministry are what lures experienced staffs away.

However, the ministry continues to operate as others are able to fill in where others have pursued greener pastures.
14) Page 34, Mines Division a) Can the Ministry explain any other minerals found in other parts of Fiji apart from bauxite and gold?

There are other minerals found in almost every other part of Fiji but in small quantities.

Minerals found in economically viable quantities are classed as Mineral Resources.
Listed below are the other high value mineral types and the areas it can be found in Fiji: • Silver – Vatukoula, Tuvatu • Iron Magnetite – Ba Delta, Sigatoka District • Copper – Namosi District, Udu, Mouta Prospect, Wainikoro, Vunivesi, Vatunimakadre Creek, Matailabasa, Coqeloa, Rama Creek • Lead - Udu, Mouta Prospect, Wainikoro, Vunivesi, Vatunimakadre Creek, Matailabasa, Wainivesi • Zinc – Udu, Mouta Prospect, Wainikoro, Vunivesi, Vatunimakadre Creek, Matailabasa, Wainivesi • Manganese – Nausocoko, Nabu, Vunamoli, Koroviko, Votualevu, Sivia Creek, Olo, Tabuquto, Natabuquto b) One of the challenges highlighted in the Mines Division is the increasing number of experience staff leaving the Ministry, what are the reasons for their departure?
Some reasons include:  The global demand for scarce skill sets possessed by qualified mining professionals;  Lucrative offers for employment and also experience offered by the private sector mainly by mining or exploration companies which the Department could not match in terms of remuneration;  Retirement and other personal reasons; and  The OMRS system did not effectively take into account the experience that some officers had particularly in the field of mining and higher positions within the Mines Division’.
The OMRS system required higher qualifications which these officers did not possess but did however possess the relevant experience.

Some of these experienced staff were then not considered during the application process due to 8 their lack of qualifications which most likely caused them to seek out better opportunities in the private sector.

c) Can the Ministry provide a list of valid licenses for exploration and mining?
Listed below is the number of valid license & lease given out by the ministry Viti Levu: Special Prospecting License (SPL) Kadavu 9 Special Ming Lease (SML) Vanua Levu: Special Prospection License (SPL) Special Mining Lease (SML) d) Can the Ministry identify the exploration companies that spent approximately $18 m in 2017 and 2018?

The exploration companies are as follows: 10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.


Magma Mines Ltd Matai Holdings Ltd Michellen Development (Fiji) Pvt Ltd Millennium Mining (Fiji) Ltd Namosi Joint Venture Rainsky Mining Company (Fiji) Ltd Resource Group Advisory (Fiji) Ltd Thunderstruck Ltd Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd 1.

Amex Resources Ltd 2.

Asia Pacific Resources Ltd 3.

Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd 4.

Beta Ltd 5.

Dome Mines Ltd 6.

Geopacific Ltd 7.

Kalo Exploration Ltd 8.

Kirrikurra Holdings Pte Ltd 9.


Lion One Ltd 10 15) Can the Ministry explain why the staff organization chart was not provided for the period under review?

(Recommendation): The Management structure for each division has been listed in the annual report.

However, the divisional organisation structure for all divisional staffs can be included in the next compilation of Annual Reports if required by management.
16) Page 37, Geoscience Support Services Division a) Can the Ministry elaborate on the distribution of the 80% royalty?

The distribution of 80% royalty was part of the newly enacted Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act which specifies the royalty percentage paid from land under which mineral production was occurring.

The distribution is 80% of royalties received from these mining activities would be paid to the landowning unit whilst the 20% was retained by the state.
The Mineral Resources Department through its Mines Division became the administrator of this Act from May 2018 and was responsible for collecting and distributing the fair share of mineral royalties received.

b) Can the Ministry further elaborate on the private funded projects for non-mining activities and the procedures to acquire these funds?

The Non Mining Activities are Geotech assessment and Groundwater development such as borehole drilling that are also privately funded.
c) Can the Ministry explain and provide a list of completed digitized maps?

There are a total of 14 map sheets for Vanualevu and 20 map sheets for Vitilevu on a scale 1:50000.
The digitizing work as of FY 2017/2018 is tabulated below: 11 17) Page 42, Policy, Planning and Quality Assurance Division a) Can the Ministry confirm the involvement of the Town and Country Planning and the respective Town councils with the relevant stakeholders in the consultation process of the Drafting of the State Land Use Master Plan?

The Department of the Town and Country Planning (DTCP) were included in the consultation process due to their regulatory role under the relevant Act.
The DTCP under the Act regulate the land zoning uses of all towns and urban areas in Fiji.
The Sustainable Land Use Planning team of the ministry also consulted municipal councils and key stakeholders such as the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), Ministry of Agriculture and the tourism industry in the compilation of the initial draft of the Sigatoka – Nadi corridor Plan so to have an inclusive state land use planning document while avoiding inconsistency and confusion of its proposed land use planning document.
b) Can the Ministry explain on the implementation of the concept plan that was conducted for Nadelei Organic Farm and Housing Project?

The Nadelei Housing project was a proposed development for an Integrated Retirement Village Concept.
The proposed housing concept was on a 103 acre of agricultural state land which required funding to implement and develop the project  The Nadelei Organic report was developed as an initiative to diversify agricultural activities and to also address the high rate of absentee sugarcane farmers from within Nadelei farming community.

12 c) There is an error in the percentage calculation of state land being harmonized as shown in the annual report?

Can the Ministry clarify?


The target was 2,000 state leases to be harmonised and not 15,000.

The team harmonized a total of 2379 with the achievement rate of 118%.

18) Page 54, Audited Financial Report a) What was the annual rent and arrears from 1st August 2017 to 31st July 2018?

Rent and Arrears from 01st August 2017 to 31st July 2018 was $22,222,503.40.

b) Can the Ministry clarify on the miscellaneous revenue?
Miscellaneous Revenue is defined as other revenue of various types that the Ministry collects from different sources or apart from the main revenue item we usually collect such as Nukulau Permit, ID, Short Courses and Lanyard.

19) Can the Ministry update the committee on the rental arrears for year ending, 31st July 2017 – 01st August 2018?

 The Financial year runs from August 1st, 2017 to July 31st 2018.

 The Rental Arrears for the year ending 31st July 2018 was $22 million (approx.).
20) Can the Ministry provide an update to the committee on the number of registered Valuers available in Fiji?

Fiji has a total of Fifty nine (59) Registered Valuers.

A copy of Gazette Notice is attached.

13 Designated land by province PROVINCE BUA NADROGA KADAVU REWA NO 44.
MATAQALI Mat NALUTU Mat NORO Mat NAICOBO Mat NAICOBO Mat NAITA Mat NAITA Mat LEWEINADROGA (Tok BITOBALAVU) Mat BURENITU Mat KORONIKULA (Tok SARAVI) Mat NADRANI [TOK TUBAILOMAWAI ] Mat BITOLEVU Mat NADOTADRA Mat NATIVI Mat NAKOROSAGO Mat MATAIDREKE Mat SOVUTA Mat KOROLEVU Mat MATALEVU Mat NAIKASARUA Mat NAVALEVATU Mat LUVUKA Mat YALAMARAWA [TOK NAVUTI] TOKATOKA LALO Mat YALAMARAWA [TOK NAQILOVATU] Mat VUNAMAOLI [TOK VUNAMASEI] Mat KETEKETE Mat YAVUSA SIVO Mat WAYASEWA Mat NACIRI Mat NATOGO Mat NATOGO Tok NAKULUKORO Mat NAVUSA Mat NAVAKAUNU Mat VUNIVADRA Mat NATUSARA Mat QALITAKALA Mat MUAICAKAU Mat LOMANIKORO Mat KOROVOU Mat NATODRE Mat NAKAUSOQO Mat NABARAMAI Mat NATODRE YEAR TAILEVU 45.
46.

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CAKAUDROVE 56.

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LOMAIVITI NAITASIRI 74.

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MACUATA 79.

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Mat VUNINOKONOKO Mat NANIUKALOU Mat NAIKIAKIA Mat NABATI DESC OF MERE MARAMANIVULU Mat NAVORARA Mat NAYARAGA Mat VUNILOLO Mat NUKUDAMU Mat VUSAKOLI Mat NAKOSO Mat VOLIVOLI Mat VOLIVOLI Mat NAQARANIQOLI Mat NAKOSO Mat MATANIVUNUKU Mat BATILEKA Mat QALITU Mat MATANIVANUA Mat NAKOROVATU Mat NAVORA Mat NAOCOKAVIKA Mat NAIRAIRAI Mat BALEIMOTO Mat TORA Mat MATASAU Mat NAOCOKAVIKA & Yav NADAKUNI Mat NAVORA Mat NAVAKASIBI & Mat LEWEIKORO of Yav VERATA Yav VIWA Yav NAKORO Mat NABUKEBUKE Mat NABUKEBUKE Mat BUREIWAQA Mat DEVO Mat BUREWAQA Mat NAGASAUDRAU Mat NASIO Mat TABUAILAGI Mat TAUYASA Mat NOIBULI Mat RARALEVU Mat KOROSILA Mat NATABUIVALU Mat KETENATUKANI 90.
91.

Mat NALOTAWA Mat SAVAI 2017 2017 MEMORANDUM From: The Solicitor-General Phone: 330 9866 To: The Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Date: Resources 29 January 2021 Subject: Register of Valuers "CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED" Attention: Ms Irena Nayacalevu 1.

We refer to your memorandum received on 25 January 2021 in relation to the publication of the Register of Valuers and our subsequent correspondence on this issue.

2.
2.

Please find attached a copy of the Gazette Notice of the Register of Valuers which was published in the Gazette today as Gazette Notice 73 of 2021.

3.

Should you require further clarification, please contact the undersigned.

Thank you.

Timaima Vakadewabuka Principal Legal Officer for THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL Attachment: GN 73 of 2021: Register of Valuers 31 GOVERNMENT OF FIJI GAZETTE PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE FIJI GOVERNMENT Vol.

22 FRIDAY, 29th JANUARY 2021 No.


68 32 [731 VALUERS REGISTRATION ACT 1986 REGISTER OF VALUERS IN exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 7(2) of the Valuers Registration Act 1986,1 hereby publish the names of all registered valuers as at 31 December 2020— No.

Name I. Awindra Prasad 2.

Mitieli Bulanauca 3.

Silio KoroiToronibau 4.

Senitieli Natale 5.

Apolosi Racule Vinau 0.

Seremaia Deve Turogo 7.

Babu Lal 8.

Kalivati Ratucicivi 9.

Vinod Bala 10.

Abdul Hassan 11.

Josefa Dulakiverata 12.


Vidya Narayan 13.

William Ambrose Singh 14.

Isikeli Cokanasiga Navuda 15.

Josefa Waqairatu Saronicava 16.

Eta Mainalulu Manuku 17.

Salacieli Lomaiviti 18.

Paula Daniva Raqeukai 19.

Setefano Naqata Rauto 20.

Joreti Vuaka Dakuwaqa Registration Business Address Number 9 10 12 17 20 24 25 28 33 43 50 54 59 63 67 73 74 75 77 78 Sydney, Australia Real Property Worth Suva GPO Box 180, Suva Northern Property Valuations & Consultant Limited.
Labasa S.T n Son Valuation Ltd P0 Box 5918, Lautoka RC Archdiocese of Suva Nicholas House Pratt Street, Suva Nakula St, Lami Professional Valuations, Nadi Independent Valuation Services P0 Box 10608, Nabua Pacific Valuations Limited 2 Marau Pt Lautoka South Pacific Property Consulting Services Ltd 293 Victoria Parade Suva Property Solutions Limited P0 Box 2084 Government Buildings, Suva Vidya Narayan Valuation Office AD Sutaria Bldg, 66 Cumming St Suva Votua Road, Samabula GPO Box 13730, Suva Housing Authority, Suva Delainavesi, Lami Drex Consultants, Nadi Landprop Valuations, Suva University of the South Pacific, Suva Delainavesi, Lami Fiji Embassy Seoul Korea No.
Name I Malakai L Nalawa 22 23 24 RameshBeharj Kaake Teke Akesa Cavalevu 25 Isoa Vakaciwa Kata 26 27 28 29 30 31 Tonganibeia Karutake Irena Nayacalevu Taraivini Ratumudu Opeti Seniyaro Malvin Anand Farzana Khan 32 Jope Volal 33 Sanjay S Kirpal 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Filipe Rokovasa Eroni T Rauto Louzanne Sahib Seremaia Vueti Bimal Prasad Peni C Korokorovata Savenaca Ralagi Pcremo Caginivula 42 Josefa Vuniamatana 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Ema Natadra Vaseva Ranadi Loco Maureen Hazelman Pritt Vandhana Lata Janice Joy Reuben Inosi Tauvoli Matt Myers Radhikesh Prasad Registration Number Business Address Lower Ragg Avenue Namadi Heights, Suva Fairview Valuations 137 Waimanu Rd, Suva Raiwai, Suva Trumarket Valuations and Property Consultant Limited, Rakiraki Westate Consultants Pillay Naidu & Associates Bldg P0 Box 1972, Nadi Lands Department, Suva Lands Department, Suva Land Use Division, Suva Fiji Water Authority, Suva Lomara Valuations, Suva Lands Department, Suva Housing Authority, Suva Professional Valuations, Suva Landmark Valuations, Suva iTaukei Land Trust Board, Suva Lomara Valuations, Suva Jerry Valuations, Lautoka Hexagon Group of Hotels, Nadi Market Reflection Valuation, Lautoka Fiji Road Authority, Suva Landworths PRC, Cakaudrove Lands Department, Suva iTaukei Land Trust Board, Nadi Jaylan Property Consultants, Nadi Asian Development Bank, Suva Prime Property Valuation, Lautoka Lands Department, Suva Rakiraki South Pacific Property Advisors Pacific Valuations, Nadi 34 \o.
anie .51 Afatareki McKenzie 52 53 54 Josaia Waqairatu Eremodo Muavesi Intaz Faiyaz Hussain 55 Meredani Naboro Tuitubou 56 Penvel Govind Raj 57 Rajiv Raj 58 Sandeep Narayan 5() Marika Kurisese Dated this 25th day of January 2021.
Registration Number Business Address I I S 119 120 121 122 123 124 I 25 ]')0 SP Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 16011, Suva Labasa Lomara Valuation, Suva Lands Department, Suva Lands Department, Labasa Lands Department, Lautoka Home Finance Ltd, Suva SP Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 16011, Suva SF Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 16011, Suva [74] [75] I. NAYACALEVU Registrar of Valuers NOTICE OF WINDING UP ORDER Company Name : Touchwood Sawmiller Pte Limited Company No.
: 2019RC000l10 Address Court : 2 Kings Road, Navua, Fiji : High Court of Fiji Application No.

: Companies (Winding Up) No.

HBE 20 of 2020 Date of Order : 18 January 2021.


Name and address: The Office of the Official Receiver of liquidator 1st Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva JACKSON BALE LAWYERS Banisters & Solicitors Suite 2 Level 2 11 Bureta Street Tamavua, Suva (1) 4502966 or 4502977 (F) 3373000 (E) info@jacksonbale.com I RR 1360 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR/ PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR Company Name : Touchwood Sawmiller Pte Limited Company No.
: 2019RC000110 Address Court : 2 Kings Road, Navua, Fiji : High Court of Fiji Application No.

: Companies (Winding Up) No.
HBE 20 of 2020 Date of Order : 18 January 2021 Name and address: The Office of the Official Receiver of liquidator 1st Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva JACKSON BALE LAWYERS Barristers & Solicitors Suite 2 Level 2 11 Bureta Street Tamavua, Suva (T) 4502966 or 4502977 (F) 3373000 (E) info©jacksonbalecom I RR 1360 32 [73) VALUERS REGISTRATION ACT 1986 REGISTER OF VALUERS IN exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 7(2) of the Valuers Registration Act 1986,1 hereby publish the names of all registered valuers as at 31 December 2020— No.
Name 1.

Awindra Prasad 2.

Mitieli Bulanauca 3.

SilioKoroiToronibau 4.

Senitidi Natale 5.

Apolosi Racule Vinau 6.

Seremaia Deve Turogo 7.

Babu Lai 8.

Kalivati Ratucicivi 9.

Vinod Bala U. Abdul Hassan H. Josefa Dulakiverata 12.

Vidya Narayan 13.

William Ambrose Singh 14.

Isikeli Cokanasiga Navuda 15.

Josefa Waqairatu Saronicava 16.

Ela Mainalulu Manuku 17.

Salacieli Lomaiviti 18.

Paula Daniva Raqeukai 19.

Setefano Naqata Rauto 20.


Joreti Vuaka Dakuwaqa Registration Number Business Address 9 I 12 17 20 24 25 28 33 43 50 54 59 03 67 73 74 75 77 78 Sydney, Australia Real Property Worth Suva GPO Box 180, Suva Northern Property Valuations & Consultant Limited.
Labasa S.T n Son Valuation Ltd P0 Box 5918, Lautoka RC Archdiocese of Suva Nicholas House Pratt Street, Suva Nakula St, Lami Professional Valuations, Nadi Independent Valuation Services P0 Box 10608, Nabua Pacific Valuations Limited 2 Marau P1 Lautoka South Pacific Property Consulting Services Ltd 293 Victoria Parade Suva Property Solutions Limited P0 Box 2084 Government Buildings, Suva Vidya Narayan Valuation Office AD Sutaria Bldg, 66 Cumming St Suva Votua Road, Samabula GPO Box 13730, Suva 1-lousing Authority, Suva Delainavesi, Lami l)rex Consultants, Nadi Landprop Valuations, Suva University of the South Pacific, Suva l)elainavesi, Lami Fiji Embassy Seoul Korea \o.
Name 2 Malakai L Nalawa 22 Ramesh Behari 23 KaakeTeke 24 Akesa Cavalevu 2:5 Isoa Vakaciwa Kata 26 27 28 29 30 31 Tonganibeia Karutake Irena Nayacalevu Taraivini Ratumudu Opeti Seniyaro Malvin Anand Farzana Khan 32 Jope Volai 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 Sanjay S Kirpal Filipe Rokovasa Eroni T Rauto Louzanne Sahib Seremaia Vueti Bimal Prasad Pcni C Korokorovata Savenaca Ralagi Peremo Caginivula Josefa Vuniamatana Ema Natadra Vaseva Ranadi Loco Maureen Hazelman 46 Pritt Vandhana Lata 47 Janice Joy Reuben 48 InosiTauvoli 49 50 Matt Myers Radhikesh Prasad Reoist ration \tinihcr Business Address 81 82 $3 84 SO 87 89 90 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 103 104 106 107 108 109 110 Ill 112 113 114 115 117 Lower Ragg Avenue Namadi Heights, Suva Fairview Valuations 137 Waimanu Rd, Suva Raiwai, Suva Trumarket Valuations and Property Consultant Limited, Rakiraki Westate Consultants Pillay Naidu & Associates Bldg P0 Box 1972, Nadi Lands Department, Suva Lands Department, Suva Land Use Division, Suva Fiji Water Authority, Suva Lomara Valuations, Suva Lands Department, Suva I husing Authority, Suva Professional Valuations, Suva Landmark Valuations, Suva ilaukei Land Trust Board, Suva Lomara Valuations, Suva Jerry Valuations, Lautoka Hexagon Group of Hotels, Nadi Market Reflection Valuation, Lautoka Fiji Road Authority, Suva Landworths PRC, Cakaudrove Lands Department, Suva iTaukei Land Trust Board, Nadi Jaylan Property Consultants, Nadi Asian Development Bank, Suva Prime Property Valuation, Lautoka Lands Department, Suva Rakiraki South Pacific Property Advisors Pacific Valuations, Nadi 34 No.
Name 51 Afatareki McKenzie 52 53 Josaia Waqairatu Eremodo Muavesi 54 Intaz Faiyaz Hussain 55 56 57 Meredani Naboro Tuitubou Penvel Govind Raj Rajiv Raj 58 SandeepNarayan 59 Marika Kurisese Dated this 25th day of January 2021.
Reoistr.it ion Number Business Address 118 II') 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 SP Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 16011, Suva Labasa Lomara Valuation, Suva Lands Department, Suva Lands Department, Labasa Lands Department, Lautoka Home Finance Ltd, Suva SP Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 1601 ],Suva SP Rolle Valuation 99 Gordon St P0 Box 16011, Suva [74] [751 I. NAYACALEVU Registrar of Valuers NOTICE OF WINDING UP ORDER Company Name : Touchwood Sawmiller Pte Limited Company No.
: 2019RC000110 Address : 2 Kings Road, Navua, Fiji Court : High Court of Fiji Application No.

: Companies (Winding Up) No.

HBE 20 of 2020 Date of Order : 18 January 2021.

Name and address: The Office of the Official Receiver of liquidator 1st Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva JACKSON BALE LAWYERS Banisters & Solicitors Suite 2 Level 2 11 Bureta Street Tarnavua, Suva (1) 4502966 or 4502977 (F) 3373000 (F) info@jacksonbale.com 1 RR 1360 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR!
PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR Company Name : Touchwood Sawniiller Pte Limited Company No.

: 2019RC000 110 Address Court : 2 Kings Road, Navua, Fiji : High Court of Fiji Application No.

: Companies (Winding Up) No.
HBE 20 of 2020 Date of Order : 18 January 2021 Name and address: The Office of the Official Receiver of liquidator 1st Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva JACKSON BALE LAWYERS Banisters & Solicitors Suite 2 Level 2 11 Bureta Street Tamavua, Suva (T) 4502966 or 4502977 (F) 3373000 (E) info@jacksonbale.com I RR 1360 Appendix 2 Supplementary Response Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Appendix 3 Annual Report Summary Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Annual Report Summary – Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Annual Report for 2016 - 2017 and 2017 - 2018 For the Standing Committee on Natural Resources Vision Mission Principal Activity Achievements/ Major Highlights 2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 Vibrant, Equitable, Dynamic Management of our Land & Minerals for a Sustainable Environment and Economic Future Implementing the established platforms by:  Vigorously implementing government's reforms and policy initiatives on lands, minerals and groundwater resources;  Provide outstanding administrative and facilitate services to our customers;  Keeping abreast with technological changes and modern approaches to ensure timely and quality services;   Embracing a corporate culture that is based on ethical and moral values;  Moulding team leaders and members to be agents of change;  Developing a sense of societal and environmental responsibility;  Recruiting, developing, motivating, rewarding and retaining capable personnel through good leadership and conducive Improving revenue collection to assist with government nation building efforts; working environment.
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is responsible to provide effective administration and management of all state lands that initiate socio-economic development across the country and reflects the needs of the diverse communities it serves.
The Ministry has two major departments:  Department of Lands and Survey; and  Department of Mineral Resources Department of Lands & Survey  The Survey Division deals with the Regulation and Checking of all land surveys attended by Registered Surveyors in accordance with the Surveyor Act Cap.

260 and Surveyors Regulation.
The three Divisional sectional offices which are located in Central Eastern, Western and Northern divisions are tasked to carry out subdivision and survey of; leased State Land, Native Lands leased to State (Native and Department of Lands & Survey  The Land Use Division continues its land administration role of complimenting the operations of the iTaukei Land Trust Board to reform existing land administration processes of availing underutilized iTaukei and State lands for development purposes attaining optimal returns for both, Native Resource owners and the State.
1 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Freehold), Informal Settlements, Approval Notices and Nukurua Mahogany Survey Lease.

 Under the National Geodetic Infrastructure project, the Control Unit aimed to establish 30 standard survey control marks along the Nabouwalu - Daria Road.

The team managed to go beyond their target by completing the survey, establishing 38 standard control marks and maintained 24 trig stations.
The survey plan has been completely drawn and submitted to Plan Assessment off ice for approval.

 Nakini Boundary Dispute & - MSG Survey - The work was carried out and completed with the redefinition survey plan drawn and verified.
 Work carried out by the Divisional Sectional Offices Central Eastern: o Regularization of Informal Settlements - 4 o Approval Notice (AN) Issued - 89 o I-Taukei Land Lease to State – 8 Western: o Regularization of Informal Settlements – 5 o North: o Regularization of Informal Settlements – 4 o I-Taukei Land Lease to State – 6 I-Taukei Land Lease to State – 4 (full details can be seen on pages 8-12 of the annual report)  The Geospatial Division's core responsibility is the managing of geospatial information, whose task is not only to align the division with data captured within the division, but includes all other data that are required for the system strategic formulation information of a  There is a total of 107 Designated Land comprising an area of 10003.0119 Ha of land.
As of to-date, there are 50 current leases in Land Bank, with a generated income of FJD9, 104,624.68.

 An allocated budget of $2.5 million dollars was assigned to the division for its 2 Capital Projects in Legalega and Yako in Nadi.

They are residential subdivision developments piloted by Government under the Land bank Investment programme.

Both Capital Projects are set to be completed by the end of 2018/2019, where landowners will receive 100% lease money from the 102 residential lots.
 New Initiatives o Commercial Grazing - There had been a interest for big scale commercial secured grazing at the Nadala highlands where 5,000 acres of designated land is now in process for leasing.

Following a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Hon.

Mr Inia Seruiratu in March, the subject land has been identified to breed 500 of the best Holstein cows in Australia.
The project is of national significance: contributing towards the health of the Fijian people, create employment, socio-economic development but most importantly, save foreign reserves.
o Marketing of designated Native and State Land available for leasing - The Division leased out 231 acres of designated land to an American company located in Natadola for the purpose of building a biomass Energy solar 2 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 incorporating data from the State Land Administration, the Survey Division, Valuation and from other stakeholders.
 Achievements o Acquisition of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): - Purchase was Purchase of UAV (Drone) completed and item was received o Land Use Master Plan - Launching of Vanua GIS o Satellite Imagery Data Sharing (17th of February 2017) - the Ministry in collaboration with TLTB signed a Memorandum of Understanding o Fiji Public Service Survey Draughting (FPSSD) Programme - Three staff received completion certificate for participating in Fiji Public Service Survey Draughting Programme farm as well as windmill in Batiri village, Natadola through its marketing strategies.
Information Management Division (full details can be seen on pages 7-10 of the annual report)  Geospatial - Through Management of Land and Geospatial Information Systems and services, maps were produced according to specifications and Survey Plans were aligned to the Surveyors Regulation requirements ensuring timely and quality service.
 Capital Projects o Acquisition of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) o Purchase of Large Format Scanner (full details can be seen on pages 11-13 of the annual report) (full details can be seen on pages 13 & 14 of the annual report)  The Lands Administration Division is responsible for the administration of all State Land in Fiji in compliance with the provisions of the State Lands Act, Land Transfer Act, Property Law Act, Land Sales Act, Land Acquisition Act, Agricultural Land Tenancy Act, State Land Policies and Lands Administration Standard Operational MLMR Procedures (SOP).
 Highlights  The Lands Administration Division - contributed towards the Regularization of Informal Settlements through the preparation of Approval Notices before issuance.

A total of 79 ANs were issued benefitting a total of 79 families, namely in the Western & Northern part of Fiji.

(full details can be seen on pages 14 & 15 of the annual report) o The Divisional Lands Office West (DLOW) implemented changes, in which the Division was streamlined into two (2) Teams: North West and South West.
This restructure allowed for two Senior Lands Officers to lead the two respective teams, including the addition of two lease inspectors to assist with correct on-the-ground lease verification.

 Valuation Division - Assessments of Property Rates for Towns and Cities, 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.
 Highlights 3 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 As a result, the re-organization improved the processing of lease files in the Western Division and was able to progressively deal with pending cases from as far as 10 years ago.

Issuance of Renewal of Agricultural Leases – a total of 66 leases in the Western Division received their registered agricultural lease documents.
(full details can be seen on pages 15 & 16 of the annual report) o  The Valuation Division is responsible for: 1.

Acquisitions and Special Valuations, and General Administration of iTaukei Leases to State; 2.

Undertaking Ratings Valuation, and Statistics and Property Market Researches; 3.

Rental and Estate Matters; and 4.

Secretariat to the Valuers Registration Board.


 Achievements o Commonwealth Heads of Valuation Agencies [CHOVA] - A government-hosted public sector conference for government purposes such as rating, property tax, asset values and compensation for Commonwealth countries for the first time was hosted by the Valuation Division in Fiji.
focuses on valuation that o Payment of Municipal Council Rate Arrears - The government is required to pay city/town rates to Councils its properties within municipal boundaries; this payment was done in full and amounted to $1.5m.

for (full details can be seen on pages 17 & 18 of the annual report) o Acquisition of land requirement and payment of compensation the totalling government Wairabetia Special Economic Zone project.
$3.8m for o Acquisition of 5 properties for the Waiqele Airport obstruction light project with a total compensation of $40,000.00.

o Payment of town/city rate for all government properties totalling $2m to all Municipal Councils.

(full details can be seen on pages 16 & 17 of the annual report)  The Survey Division's main function is to: 1.

Regulate and check all land surveys carried out by all surveyors (Government and Private) in Fiji in accordance with the Surveyors Regulations.

2.
2.

Provide and maintain a network of survey controls to integrate and standardize all surveys carried out in Fiji.

3.

Develop State Lands to highest and best economic use to encourage economic development and also provide residential sites for needy families.

4.

Regularize illegal tenant by carrying out subdivision survey.
 Central-Eastern Division o Survey of iTaukei Land Lease to State - Nasau Health Center - Lomaiviti; Karo Island Police Post - Lomaiviti; Mataiono Nursing Station - Lomaiviti; Navua Hospital - Navua.
4 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070  A role of the Land Use Division is to develop a Land Use Bank to facilitate the efficient leasing of native lands which are currently idle and un-utilized under terms and conditions which are attractive to both the landowners and tenants.

 Highlights o Total acreage of viable land deposited was 1804.5 ha; this surpassed the target of 870ha.
o The number of Valuations for designated land was 20, surpassing the target of 8 to be conducted per financial year.

conducted o Survey Unit managed to have nine (9) survey plans approved, thus increasing the number of land available for leasing.

 Capital Projects o Legalega Subdivision - Amended Scheme Plan approved- from 35 Lots to 76 Lots, this will lead to the increase in potential land owners.

o Yako Subdivision - Government Tender Board (GTB) approval received for the following: 1.
Re-scheme of the Subdivision 2.

Re-design of subdivision 3.

New Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) (full details can be seen on pages 19 & 20 of the annual report) Department of Mineral Resources  Mines Division  Tenement Unit is to provide efficient and timely mineral title approvals essential for the long term growth of the State's minerals sector.
It includes legislating and regulating to ensure security of on state existing o Maintenance of State Land Subdivisions - This project was aimed at upgrading and improving infrastructure land subdivisions, thus help improve living standards and relevant state land lots.

Areas covered were: Construction of footpath and drain completed in Kinoya Subdivision and Wainibuku Subdivision.

o Construction Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS) – Koro, Taveuni, Nabouwalu, Labasa, Rotuma, Kadavu and Lakeba.
 Western Division of o Survey of iTaukei Land Leased to State - Yanuya Nursing Station, Nawaicoba Police Post, Lawaqa Government Station and Raiwaqa Nursing Station.

o Regularization of Informal Settlement - Rasasuva Settlement, Navo Settlement, Stone Crusher Settlement and Nasivi Settlement.

o Maintenance of Existing Sub-division - Completed construction of the access road - Maiolo Transmitter Sub-Division and Road Maintenance work completed - Barara Flats Sub- Division.
 Northern Division o Survey of iTaukei land leased to State - Namalata Nursing Station, Nacolata Agriculture Station, Lagi Rural Market and Nabiti Hydrology Station.
5 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 tenement and provides accurate information on land availability for mineral exploration and mining, advising on land access matters and land status, determining tenement applications in accordance with relevant legislation and ensuring compliance with tenement obligations.
 Resource Geology Unit o Total exploration and Mining in 2016 Number of Exploration Tenements - 35 o Number of Mining Leases - 8 (full details can be seen on pages 22-25 of the annual report)  The Geological Services Division's responsibilities and tasks are achieved through groundwater assessment and investigation to confirm potential borehole sites/locations for drilling and development.
In addition, the Division also provides laboratory services through chemical and microbiological water analysis for groundwater and waste water discharge from mines and quarries.

 Hydrogeology Section o Groundwater Investigation and geophysics – 35 o Preliminary /Reconnaissance Visit – 77  Drilling Section o No.

of boreholes drilled - 31 o Abandon wells - 9 o No.
of boreholes reticulated – 11  Lab Section o The section was also able to complete the disposal of all the old/expired and obsolete samples from the old storage area near the garage which was identified as high risk.

o Regularization of - Valebasoga stage 4, Bulileka Low-cost, Naveria, Dreketi, Bangladesh 1 and Boca Stage 3.
Informal Settlement (full details can be seen on pages 18-25 of the annual report) Department of Mineral Resources  The Geological Services Division contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation", and NDP strategic goal 6 "Water and Sanitation".
These goals are supported through the undertakings of the Hydrogeology, Drilling and Laboratory Sections that ensure water security and also offer alternative water careful inspection, water sample testing before moving on to drilling and reticulation where appropriate.

 Achievements sources, after o The re-evaluation, re-design and revival of the Groundwater Monitoring Program was also executed.
o Continuous update and upgrade of the National Groundwater Database to ensure relevancy and to be user-friendly.

The database is also now linked to GIS to allow data presentation on thematic maps.

o A total of 21 boreholes out of the 20 targeted for the financial year were drilled.

The Division surpassed its annual target of which 12 were successful and 9 abandoned due to unsuccessful yields.

These were for both, large and small islands.


6 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 o The upgrade of the geochemical room was also achieved this year, with the installation of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Microwave Digester (MD) and basic training provided by the supplier for installation of air-con, gas tanks and all other associated technical work/fittings.
 Seismology Section o A remarkable progress advancement so far for the Section is the monitoring operation of seismic activities extending from the normal working hours of the day to a fully-fledged 24 hours of shift work operation.
(full details can be seen on pages 26 & 27 of the annual report)  The role of the Geological Surveys Division is to provide timely geoscience information to support the sustainable development of mineral (metalliferous and industrial), hydrocarbon and geothermal resources within Fiji and its EEZ and to provide advisories on geo-hazard, aggregate resources and geotechnical assessments for development.
 Maintenance of vessels - RV Yautalei and Vatutalei - As a way of revamping the section by conducting future coastal and offshore geological assessments, the marine geology section is responsible for the bi-annual certification from MSAF on the sea worthiness of the two (2) vessels, as well as their maintenance.

This year saw major repairs made to the RV Yautalei with the replacements of its engines, and replenishment of expired items such as flares .
The flat -bottom vessel, (full details can be seen on pages 27-29 of the annual report)  With the strategy "Encourage and accelerate growth through foreign investors", the Geological Survey Division through its activities has aligned itself to the NDP goal of ensuring that Fiji is "A Sustainable Mining Industry".

This is carried out through the promotion and marketing of mineral prospects to foreign investors.
 Achievements o STAR Conference - A presentation was done on Mineral Prospects during the STAR conference.

This enhanced and equipped the audience on potential mining areas around Fiji.

The Conference was attended by over 100 (approx.)

overseas and regional participants.

o The Divisional compiled 100% of data package of 2013 to 2016/17 prospects.

The updated geological data assisted the landowners and the exploration companies interested in conducting further exploration work.
(full details can be seen on pages 30 & 31 of the annual report)  The Environment Division exists to ensure effective management of environment regulations through implementing environment safety regulations.

This is conducted through monitoring of safety regulations within Mining and Quarries.

In the process of this responsibility, the Environment Division hence supports the National Development Plan goal of a "Sustainable Mining and Quarry Industry".
control and 7 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Vatutalei underwent its usual bi-annual certification for sea worthiness.

 The Environment Division is comprised of the Environment Unit of Mineral Resources Department (MRD) and the Foreshore Unit of the Lands Administration Section.

The Environment Unit and the Foreshore Unit conduct inspections concurrently due to their regulatory role and responsibilities.
However in terms of environmental monitoring and risk assessments, the Environment Division is responsible for this.

The Foreshore Development under the Lands Administration is responsible for foreshore leasing.

 The division conducted inspections to monitor active mines including Vatukoula Goldmines Ltd, Xinfa Aurum (Nawailevu), Asia Pacific Resources (Wainivesi), AMEX, Viti Mining and quarries for total compliance with the environmental Act.
This is apart from the monitoring on the Namosi Copper Prospect during exploration and rehabilitation site work.

 Highlights o Monitoring of the illegal river gravel extraction around the two main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Inspection on the Naibulu spillage in September, 2016. o o Formulation of the draft River Gravel Extraction Guideline and quarry approval process.

o Working in collaboration with ACP/EU and UNDP o The division had to take a Neglected Development Mineral Project.
lead role in the monitoring of an accident site involving a truck  Achievements o On-going This Formulation of River Gravel reference Management Guideline.

material on gravel and sand management is a first of its kind for the Ministry and can be used for education, regulation and environmental improvement- hence ensuring efficiency in the services provided by the Division, Department and Ministry as whole.
in o A new budget allocation of $110,000 for environmental monitoring work this financial year was earmarked to the Division which has allowed the engagement of six (6) Technical Officers [TA]Projects officers to assist in monitoring of river gravel and sand extraction and other development administered by the ministry from the Central Eastern, Western and Northern.
(full details can be seen on pages 32 & 33 of the annual report)  Under the National Development Plan (NDP) goal of "A Sustainable Mining Industry", the Mines Division oversees and facilitates development of the country's mineral sector, and manages the development of the Mining and Quarrying Sector.

 Achievements 8 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 transporting the chemical cyanide.
Staffs were released to monitor the safe removal of the chemicals and check levels of contamination in the surrounding waterways.

o On-going monitoring of rehabilitation during the for Nawailevu Bauxite Mine and year and Nasaucoko Manganese Mine.

(full details can be seen on pages 30-32 of the annual report)  Geoscience Support Services Division – for full details, refer to pages 33 & 34 of the annual report.
 Mineral Resources Department – Capital Projects  Geological Survey Division – Mineral Investigation Project - $1,902,000  Geological Services Division: o Groundwater Assessment and Develop Small Islands - $480,000 o Groundwater Assessment and Develop Large Islands - $750,000 o Mining Exploration Investment – the mining companies on exploration work in Fiji fetched approximately $18m into the local economy.

o Successful construction of the Core Repository which had been officiated.
This will centralise storage for drill core samples and will benefit our internal customers by reaching better technical capabilities.

(full details can be seen on pages 34-36 of the annual report)  Geoscience Support Services Division is responsible for the following: 1.

Administrate all Corporate matters; 2.

Facilitate all Financial matters; 3.

Management of day to day book keeping of all Mineral Resources Department data & publications; and 4.
Provision of Geospatial service through Information Technological system support.

(full details can be seen on page 35 of the annual report)  Achievements  Policy, Planning (Land) & Quality Assurance Division - Provides Executive Support to the Hon.

Minister, PS & DS through: 1.

Providing policy advice through research; 2.

Conducting Quality Assurance including Harmonization and State Land Rent Arrears Collection; 3.

Identification of un/under-utilized state land and making recommendations; 4.
Customer advocacy; and o A total of $1.8m was collected in mining revenue where they were either held in the Government Consolidated Fund Account or in the Trust Fund by the Department.

The beneficiaries of the Trust Accounts were the Mining Companies and land owners within the mining areas/prospects who are now entitled to receive 80% from the fair share of royalty payment.
Other monies held in the trust are for private funded projects used for non-mining 9 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 5.

Media publication of Ministry's activities and programs.

 Highlights o Project Saumia - Collected a total of $13,570,432.52 o (90.4%) State Land Rent and Arrears.

Issued a total of 299 Arrears Notices within the Central Eastern Division.
o Project Harmonization - Harmonized a total of 1,611 State Land leases in areas around the Central Eastern Division (Muaniweni, Baulevu, Wainibuku and Nakasi), Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.

(full details can be seen on page 37-39 of the annual report)  Corporate Services Division – for full details, refer to pages 40 & 41 of the annual report.

activities which the communities and general public also benefit from.
(full details can be seen on pages 37 & 38 of the annual report)  The Policy, Planning & Quality Assurance Division facilitates and coordinates 'existing legislation review' as well as land/mineral related policies and Cabinet papers through research working in close collaboration with Technical Directors and relevant central agencies and stakeholders.
The Division is also responsible in internal processes and monitoring the Ministry's procedures and two (2) projects: state land rental arrears collection and the harmonizing of state land files.

 The Right of landowners to fair-share of mineral royalties was distinguished under the Fiji 2013 Constitution Section (30).

As the first of its kind, the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Bill was passed in Parliament on 16th May, 2018 and was gazetted on 18th May.
This allowed for an 80:20 fair share that is the respective landowners are entitled to 80% of royalty payments whereas the govt.

retains 20% for administration costs.

The beneficiaries to this will be the land owning units as well as owners of freehold land that extraction of minerals take place in.

 Sustainable Land Use Unit o A draft State Land Use Master Plan has been completed for state land use along the Sigatoka - Nadi corridor.
10 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 o Concept Plan - this is formulated through research, ground inspections, socio economic surveys and investigations on underutilized state land.

The team compiled the Concept Plan reports for the following: 1.

Nadelei Farm and Housing Project 2.

Vatuwaqa Mangrove Project 3.


Nadelei Organic Farms  Projects o Project Saumia - There had been positive responses and stronger collaboration between the Government and its state land lessees.

This was demonstrated by the improvement of revenue collection (rent and arrears) totalling up to $14,132,506.95 (94.2%).

Field inspections and consistent follow-up with a more friendly approach encouraged lessees to be more responsive and cooperate.
o Project Harmonization - The team harmonized a total of 2379(118%) from a target of 15,000 state land leases.

The Team for the first time inspected 100 state land leases in the Northern Division visiting areas around Labasa town and its peripheries.

(full details can be seen on page 40-43 of the annual report)  Corporate Services Division – for full details, refer to pages 44-46 of the annual report.
11 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Financial Position Total Revenue Total Operating Expenditure Total Capital Expenditure Total Expenditure Total Receipts – Department of Lands Total Receipts – Department of Mineral Resources Total Payments – Department of Lands Total Payments – Department of Mineral Resources Net Surplus/(Deficit) – Department of Lands Net Surplus/(Deficit) – Department of Mineral Resources 12 months 31 July 2017 $ 15,781,820 17,496,502 5,426,736 23,994,403 5,341,865 724,171 3,343,268 819,898 6,229,494 4,386,308 12 months 31 July 2018 $ 17,865,992 20,711,241 10,599,342 32,672,474 10,298,995 1,168,073 9,913,619 148,845 6,614,870 5,405,536 Auditor’s Opinion (OAG) 2016 - 2017 The Auditor has audited the financial statements of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, which comprise the Statement of Receipts and Expenditure, Appropriation Statement and Trust Account Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ending 31 July 2017, and notes to and forming part of the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In Auditor’s opinion, except for the effects on the matters described in the Basis of Qualified Opinion paragraph, the in all accompanying financial statements are prepared, the Financial material Management Act, Finance Instructions 2010 and Finance (Amendment) Instruction 2016. in accordance with respects, 2017 - 2018 The Auditor has audited the financial statements of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, which comprise the Statement of Receipts and Expenditure, Appropriation Statement, Statement of Losses and Department of Lands Trust Account Statement of Receipts and Payments, Department of Minerals Trust Fund Account Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ending 31 July 2018, and notes to and forming part of the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In Auditor’s opinion, except for the effects on the matters described in the Basis of Qualified Opinion paragraph, the accompanying financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2018 are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Financial Management Act 2004, Finance Instructions 2010 and Finance (Amendment) Instruction 2016.
12 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Basis of Qualified Opinion Trust Fund Account balance for Department of Lands amounting to $6,614,870 was not supported with detailed listing of claimants of the monies held in the trust As such, the Auditor was unable to satisfy himself on the accuracy and completeness of the Trust Fund Account balance as at 31 July 2018.

(ISA).
(ISA).

those standards are The Auditor conducted the audit in accordance with International The Standards on Auditing further responsibilities under described in the Auditor's Responsibilities paragraph of the report.

The Auditor is independent of the Ministry in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to the audit of the financial statements in Fiji and the Auditor has fulfilled other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
The Auditor believes that the audit evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for his opinion.

Basis of Qualified Opinion 1.

There is an unreconciled variance of $673,811 in Land and Property Rent collected as recorded in the Crown Land Lease System of $12,745,771 and FMIS general ledger balance of $13,419,582.

Consequently, Auditor could not confirm the accuracy and completeness of Land and Property Rent of $13,419,582.

2.
2.

Expenditure amounting to $157,174 in the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures did not relate to the financial year 2016-2017.

This amount relates to the posting of an unsupported journal voucher of $105,870 to clear prior year's Revolving Fund Account balances and the recording of $51,304 expenditure in 2016-2017 for goods and services received in 2017-2018.

As such, the expenditure balance for the year ended 31/7/17 is overstated by $157,174.
in accordance with The Auditor conducted the audit International Standards on Auditing (ISA).

The responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities paragraph of the report.

The Auditor is independent of the Ministry in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to the audit of the financial statements in Fiji and the Auditor has fulfilled other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
The Auditor believes that the audit evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for his opinion.

13 | P a g e PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Research and Library Services Annual Report Summary 200070 Gender Equality No information on Gender was provided in the annual reports.
07 October 2020 Disclaimer This Annual Report Summary was prepared to assist the Standing Committee on Natural Resources in its review of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources 2016 - 2017 and 2017 - 2018 Annual Reports.

This summary should not be relied on as a substitute for specific advice.

Other sources and information should be consulted.


Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji will not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any person acting in reliance upon the information.

The Parliament of the Republic of Fiji accepts no responsibility for any references or links to, or the content of, information maintained by third parties.
For further information please email: Shobhna Rani on email shobna.rani@govnet.gov.fj 14 | P a g e