The establishment and opening of the new Government Service Centre (GSC) in Lautoka is a testimony of Government’s commitment to the delivery of basic services to all Fijians.
The centre, which is located at the Commissioner Western’s building in the heart of the city, was opened by the Minister for Primary Industries, Colonel Inia Seruiratu today.
The Public Service Commission has spent just over $49,000 in completing the construction of the centre, which employs five staff.
Minister Seruiratu said the GSC initiative has been founded on the promise of delivering government services to the people in a more convenient, efficient, affordable and friendly way.
He said the new GSCs are there to connect the public to public services.
“What it means is that the Lautoka GSC is a single-point-one-stop-shop for atleast 20 separate government agencies,” Colonel Seruiratu said.
“Information on the respective ministries, departments and agencies will be readily available and visitors or callers will be ably assisted by GSC agents who have been specially trained under a University of the South Pacific customer service program to handle government services query of any type.”
The GSC would also be very beneficial to students from Monday to Saturday as they can now apply for their scholarships online and monitor their scholarship progression and check for themselves their external exams results.
Justice of Peace services would also be available at the centre.
“As we all know, looking for a Justice of Peace or JP is always a laborious exercise and the general public will no longer have the burden to look for one as JP services will be available at the centre.
“The printing of birth certificates, as well as deaths and marriages will be provided from the centre in the not too distant future,” Colonel Seruiratu added.
The Minister also highlighted that farmers can obtain a variety of information relating to agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
“Apart from information dissemination through brochures and pamphlets, local farmers through text messages, email, fax or telephone call can get up-to-date information from GSC agents on the current prices of commodities in the market, fertilizers, seeds or the status of their application in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,” Colonel Seruiratu said.
He added that the GSC initiative is a striking example of the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool for creating new opportunities for inclusive development.
Minister Seruiratu echoed the sentiments of the Prime Minister that the establishment of the GSCs is part of Government’s new vision for a new Fiji, to make life easier for every Fijian dealing with government departments and agencies.
The Lautoka GSC is in addition to two service centres in the Central Division- Suva and the recently commissioned Nausori Government Service Centre.
Another Government Service Centre is set to be opened in Labasa next week.
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