STATE LAND ADMINISTRATION IN

FIJIINTEGRATING 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

LEGISLATIONCore 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 DISTIBUTIONNo. 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• Outdated and unclear processes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• Outdated legislation and regulations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