The people of Fiji’s outer islands have been expressing a significant demand for essential services such as births, deaths, marriages, and company registrations. In response, the Ministry of Justice is actively working to ensure these services are accessible to all citizens, particularly those in remote communities.
During a recent Parliament session, Minister Siromi Turaga emphasized that these initiatives are vital for delivering essential services directly to local communities, aligned with the principle that “no one should be left behind.”
Turaga outlined the outreach program which includes various services such as the registration of births, deaths, marriages, land titles, receipt of official records, and the registration of companies.
In August, a week-long outreach program took place in Yasayasa Moala, organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Justice. This initiative provided crucial support to the villages of Totoya, Matuku, and Moala in obtaining important documents. During this outreach, officials officiated four court marriages and achieved notable results: seven late birth registrations, 27 business registrations, 14 new birth registrations, and 42 birth certificate renewals.
Building on this momentum, the Ministry of Justice arranged a tour to Koro Island from September 10 to 13, 2024, to further engage with residents and foster confidence in the justice system. Alongside representatives from various government agencies, Turaga visited multiple villages and key institutions, successfully opening a Births, Deaths, and Marriage Registry Office at the Koro Island Post Office. The visit was met with enthusiasm from locals, who eagerly learned to utilize the services available.
From September 25 to 29, Minister Turaga and senior officials visited Ovalau, focusing on community engagement and providing direct services. By facilitating registrations of births, deaths, marriages, and businesses, the team registered a total of 253 new businesses in Levuka. The Ministry is also reaching out to additional villages to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
Looking ahead, a team from the Ministry of Justice is scheduled to visit Vanua Levu after the Fiji Day celebrations, specifically targeting the Bua region for further community engagement.
Turaga acknowledged the previous government’s efforts to establish services in various regions and highlighted the Ministry’s expansion of services to 20 post offices across the nation.
Investing in human capital has also been emphasized, with leadership and customer service training programs launched to enhance staff skills. Additionally, the Ministry is working to improve the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) system in collaboration with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, which is vital for preserving ancestral records and facilitating accessibility to government services.
Turaga announced that a pilot project aimed at updating the VKB system is underway, demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and traditional governance systems.