The establishment of a new office for the Ministry for Local Government, Environment and Housing office in Labasa provides a new platform of service delivery in the Northern Division.
The opening of this new office is expected to lead to increasing investment and development opportunities in the division.
Officially opening the office in Labasa last night, the Ministry’s Assistant Minister, Hon. Lorna Eden said her Ministry is expanding its operations to cater for the increase in demand for services in the North.
“We are committed to providing the best and most efficient service delivery to our fellow Fijians in the North.
“Whether it is development, lodging of applications or giving the right types of advice, the important part is giving the people of Vanua Levu access to services offered by the Ministry,” Hon. Eden said.
Hon. Eden said through the new office, the Ministry as a whole will be able to effectively simplify a lot of development application processes by streamlining operations and cutting down on process timelines.
“The provision of this new office will also allow additional staff to be deployed to boost services and to match the current and projected level of service demand,” Hon. Eden said.
The Assistant Minister added the Hon. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had called for the establishment of the Ministry’s office in the North in 2011.
“This is in order to serve the people given the increase of economic activity and today we continue to witness the growing interest from investment and development in the North,” Hon. Eden said.
Hon. Eden said in the last three years the Ministry has witnessed the demand of services increasing.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Minister reminded the staff it was important to create a happy staff and working environment in order to provide better services to the people.
“We must remember we are all here to serve and service with a genuine smile is better,” Hon. Eden added.