Concerns have been raised about the failure of parents to register their children’s births promptly, a situation described as a national issue. Siromi Turaga, the Minister for Justice, has set a target to achieve 100 percent birth registration within the next two years. Currently, the birth registration rate stands at 80 percent across the nation.
Mr. Turaga noted that many parents delay registering their children during infancy, often waiting until they need to enroll them in primary school. He highlighted this issue during a discussion with residents of Dreketi on Wednesday. His presence at the Fiji Day celebrations in Labasa on Thursday further emphasized the importance of birth registration, particularly within the iTaukei community, where a significant percentage of births have not been registered.
To address this challenge, the ministry is implementing proactive measures, including community outreach programs. Earlier this year, during visits to Koro and Ovalau, Mr. Turaga’s team sought to bridge information gaps between the government and local communities. He pointed out examples, such as children in a rural kindergarten attending without birth certificates.
Mr. Turaga explained that the lack of registration and birth certificates hampers proper planning for policies and educational resources. He remarked that if a six-year-old is not registered, it implies they are not accounted for within the nation’s records.
Additionally, he urged the iTaukei community to ensure that the deaths of their loved ones are registered in a timely manner. He stressed that death certificates must be submitted to the Fijian Affairs Board’s Vala ni Kawa Bula (VKB) to remove the deceased from official lists. This is crucial for allowing the next eligible individual to assume the associated privileges. Mr. Turaga acknowledged that this remains a persistent challenge for the iTaukei ministry.