Staff members of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management have been reminded about the vital responsibility placed on the Ministry to deliver for the people in the rural and maritime communities across Fiji.
Addressing senior officials and staff from across all four divisions at the opening of the 2025 - 2026 Planning Workshop in Nadi yesterday, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka urged divisions and units to work collaboratively, address bottlenecks, and ensure every dollar was put to work to improve lives in rural and maritime communities.
Minister Ditoka also reminded participants that integrity and accountability remained non-negotiable, especially in light of recent audit findings that revealed areas for improvement in procurement, reporting, and internal controls.
“Excellence in public service means not just delivering on targets but doing so with integrity. These audit observations are not criticisms; they are opportunities to improve,” Minister Ditoka said.
The two-day workshop focused on aligning all operational and divisional plans with national frameworks such as the National Development Plan. It also comes at a time when the ministry is advancing key strategic initiatives, including the development of a National Rural Development Policy and the review of its current Strategic Development Plan.
The workshop will also support the finalisation of the Ministry’s 2025–2026 Annual Costed Operational Plan (ACOP) and the completion of Divisional Business Plans.
At this year’s workshop, cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, disability inclusion, climate resilience, and digital innovation will be embedded into planning discussions to ensure that the Ministry’s work is both inclusive and future-orientated.
“This workshop is not just about planning on paper. It’s about building capacity, improving coordination, and establishing clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks. We must not only implement but also measure our impact,” he said.
Minister Ditoka also encouraged staff to be actively involved, challenge the status quo, and bring clarity to their performance indicators, budget lines, and delivery goals set by the Ministry.
“Let me challenge each of you: are we truly making the impact we intend? Don’t sit back. Speak up, ask the tough questions, and use this space to ensure that what we’re doing today lays the right foundation for tomorrow.”
The 2025–2026 Planning Workshop ends today.