STATE LAND
ADMINISTRATION IN FIJI
INTEGRATING LAND GOVERNANCE INTO THE POST-2015 AGENDA
HARNESSING SYNERGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING IMPACT
ANNUAL WORLD BANK CONFERENCE ON LAND AND POVERTY,
WASHINGTON DC, MARCH 24-27, 2014
INTRODUCTION
• Fiji Island - archipelago of over 300 islands in the mid South Pacific
• Total land area – 18,270 square kilometers (
• Classification of Tenure
•
State Land - 4%
•
Freehold land – 8%
•
Native (iTaukei Land) – 88%
• Issue – underutilization and revenue generation from State Land administration
• Administered by the Director of Lands in the Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources
• State has 18,000 State leases over 571,520 ha – Generates approximately $11M FJD annually in
land rent.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
& SURVEYS
• Effective administration, development and management of State Land
• Other activities
•
Surveying
•
Mapping
•
Valuation
•
Development & Maintenance
•
GIS
•
Land Use Unit – Reform initiatives
MANDATE
• Make State Land available for development
• Efficient administration of State Land (Including iTaukei land leased to State
• Provide framework for survey system and mapping requirements
• Approval of survey
• Mapping for Government Departments, statutory organizations & private agencies
• Acquire land for public purpose and provide valuation
• Develop and manage national computerized land information system
• Implement Government’s land reform initiative as per the Charter & Roadmap
LEGISLATION
Core Role/Responsibilities
State Lands Act
Valuers Registration Act
Land Transfer Act
Rivers and Streams Act
Land Sales Act
State Acquisition of Lands Act
Property Law Act
Agricultural Landlord and Tenants Act
Surveyors Act
Land Use Decree (2010)
Generic Responsibilities
Financial Management Act (2004)
Public Service Act (1999)
State Services Decree (2009)
People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress (PCCPP) and
Roadmap to Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic
Development (RDSSED) 2009-2014
AREA COVERAGE - VITI LEVU
VANUA LEVU
LEASE DISTIBUTION
No.
Division
Count
1
Western
9,279
2
Central
6,642
3
Northern
2,067
4
Eastern
43
5
Foreshore
6,879.38 Ha
CHALLENGES
• Inadequate Lease Database
• Arrears of Revenue
• Revenue Projection
• Outdated and unclear processes
• Inadequate leasing process
• Client complaints
• Corrupt practices
• Lack on monitoring
• Outdated legislation and regulations
MEASURES TAKEN
• Harmonization Project
• Establishment of Monitoring Unit
• Standard Operation Procedure and Complaints Database
• Emphasis on core business - management of State Land
• Review of Fees / Legislation & Regulation
• Appointment of Legal Officer
• Strengthen of Geospatial Infrastructure
• Division of Labour & Quality of Assessment
CONCLUSION
• Prime real estate with potential for higher equitable returns if managed well
• Reviews of practice and legislation will enable projection of true revenue generation
• Corrective measure undertake by the Dept.
• Reinforcement of human resources.
• Key challenge in post-policy reform - monitoring and compliance
• Continuity of the introduced practice with transparency and accountability.
• All efforts focused to better utilization of State Land, translating in higher returns and
subsequent economic growth
THANK YOU & VINAKA VAKALEVU