MINISTER HON. MACIU NALUMISA'S RESPONSE TO HIS EXCELLENCY'S ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENT SESSION 2024

Hon. Speaker.
Honourable Prime Minister.
Honourable Deputy Prime Ministers.
Honourable Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers.
Honourable Leader of Opposition.
Honourable Members of Parliament.
Members of the Public present this morning and those joining through live stream.
 
Nu Bula Nakwa and A very Good Morning to You All. 
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise before this August House to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Fiji, Turaga Bale and Tui Macuata, Taukei Bolatagane for his thoughtful and inclusive speech that have resonated with us all.
 
His Excellency reminded us of the importance of our role as Members of this August House and the need to promote harmony and embrace diversity in our nation. His Excellency shared the importance of leaving aside our differences for the common good of the people. It is crucial that we address the challenges faced by our island nation as we have the ability to enact policies and legislations that prioritize the protection and resilience of all our citizens.
 
Furthermore, I fully applaud and support the promotion of financial literacy as a way of empowering the people with financial security and self-reliance.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Coalition Governments progressive agenda and legislative framework highlighted by his excellency are people centered, visionary and provides a good platform for a sustainable economic growth.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, His Excellency's speech not only marks the dawn of a new Parliamentary Session but also heralds a solemn summons to greatness. It is a call that beckons us to rise above the challenges that lie ahead and embrace our role as custodians of the Fijian dream.
 
With humility and reverence, we, the Coalition Government, accept the mantle of leadership bestowed upon us by the people of Fiji. It is a privilege and an honour that we do not take lightly. We stand committed to representing the hopes and aspirations of every Fijian, and to forging a path toward a future filled with promise and opportunity.
 
The Coalition Government is optimistic that the domestic economic growth will certainly return to the pre-pandemic level. The projected growth rate of 3.8% for 2024 and 3.0% for 2025 is a testament of good financial management and effective policies by the Coalition Government.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, housing is fundamentally a human right enshrined in our 2013 Constitution and plays a crucial role in the development of our country as it not only provides shelter but also contribute to economic growth. Over the years, there has been a growing focus on sustainable and affordable housing to address the increasing demands for housing in urban and rural areas.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, as outlined by His Excellency, the New National Development Plan that is earmarked to be finalized in June will set out our collective efforts, initiatives and programmes for a more sustainable and resilient built environment. 
 
In line with the formulation of the New National Development Plan, the review of the National Housing Policy will now be aligned to Government priorities to ensure consistencies and a more streamlined coordination amongst Government, private sector, and NGOs. 
 
At this juncture, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for providing Policy assistance to the Ministry of Housing to assist with the review of the 2011 National Housing Policy which is now earmarked for completion this year.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, a large proportion of our low-income households who struggle to afford decent homes have access to our public housing programme managed by Public Rental Board. However, there is still a high demand that needs to be met. The Ministry will continue to support the Public Rental Board in completing the Lagilagi Low-Cost Housing project that will accommodate 36 families and further plan future development around Jittu Estate for development of affordable housing units.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, to ensure the transition to home ownership, the Ministry and PRB are collaborating to design a rent to own scheme for existing tenants. This scheme will provide households with an opportunity to build equity in a home while renting, making it easier for them to eventually become homeowners.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry will continue to facilitate and support the implementation of the Public Private Partnership project with International Finance Cooperation for developing five (5) sites that will provide around 3000 housing units. These sites are Raiwaqa (Suva), Nepani (Nasinu), Wainibuku (Nasinu), Davuilevu (Nausori) and Tavakubu (Lautoka).
 
Mr. Speaker, land development projects carried out by Housing Authority provide housing options for low- and middle-income earning families. In December 2023, Covata Subdivision in Labasa was completed providing 103 residential lots. An online portal was also established providing an efficient and transparent platform for the public to lodge their applications to purchase a lot and build their own dream homes. 
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Mokosoi subdivision project in Deuba nears completion and is expected to provide a total of 34 lots with allocation of green areas which the public can use for sports or leisure activities. These projects create sustainable and inclusive communities for people from various backgrounds and contribute to increasing home ownership.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry will continue in assisting first time homeowners through the First Home Ownership Initiative for those with household income of below $50,000 as well as those between $50,001 to $100,000 and may access government grant to buy or build their first home.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, in this financial year the Ministry approved a total of 113 applications under the First Home Ownership Initiative with a total payout of more than $1.9 million. 

Mr. Speaker Sir, a review of the income brackets will be conducted to ensure the most deserving low-income households will have access to financial support to meet their housing needs including the most vulnerable in society.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry will be working with our stakeholders to promote and encourage green building practices that will mitigate environmental impact of housing development while simultaneously improve its resilience.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the implementation of infrastructure upgrades for our informal settlements and providing access to affordable housing options will continue to be undertaken by the Ministry to improve the living conditions of those living in informal settlements and help them integrate into formal urban environments.
 
The Ministry Informal Settlement Upgrade Programme will continue with upgrades of informal settlements providing settlers with access to basic utilities such as water, sanitation, electricity, drainage, and road. Upon completion of the upgrades, settlers are issued with 99-year lease titles providing long term security tenure.

Mr. Speaker Sir, three informal settlements have had their upgrades completed following vigorous challenges with a total of 451 households undergoing lot allocation process to receive 99-year lease titles. These settlements are Ledrusasa (Nadi) with 76 Households, Cuvu (Sigatoka) with 105 Households and Waidamudamu (Nausori) with 270 Households.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, four (4) informal settlements are in construction phase, and these are Sakoca (Nasinu), Tavela (Nadi), Field 4(Lautoka) and Tore (Lautoka) with a total of 378 households. 
 
By the end of this financial year, the Ministry will have an additional four (4) informal settlements ready for construction phase. The settlements are Vuniika (Labasa), Wakanisila (Nasinu), Valewaquyaya (Ba) and Delaisaweni (Lautoka) with a total of 350 households.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry will also be establishing a National Housing Database which will be a comprehensive and centralised system that aims to collect, manage, and maintain comprehensive and up-to-date data related to the housing sector, including information on housing units, occupancy rates, tenure types, construction materials, property condition, and green building initiatives. 
          
Mr. Speaker Sir, the long-awaited Local Government Elections stand as a testament to the Coalition Governments commitment to return democracy, transparency, and accountability for all the 13 municipalities in Fiji.  Through tireless dedication and perseverance, we have paved the way for a future where every voice is heard, and every vote counts. A feat that could not have been achieved without the collective support from the Fijian Elections Office, the Office of the Solicitor-General and the 13 Municipal Councils.  The support of development partners cannot go unacknowledged. 
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to respond to the comment made by the Hon. Hem Chand yesterday on the appointment of the Towns and Cities Special Administrators. He referred to them as Political Appointees. I wish to remind him that two of the current Special Administrators were part of the former Minister appointees. The new Special Administrators were appointed based on merit, experience, and the potential to bring about change to their respective municipalities.

The main objective is for the new Special Administrators to prepare the municipalities for the Local Government Elections.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the amendment to the Local Government Act 1972 was just the beginning; the hard work begins now with civic education, voter education, voter registration and finally the Local Government Election.  
 
The Strategic Master Plan for Viti Levu has been completed and will be presented to Cabinet in the coming weeks. We have received overwhelming support and commitment from all stakeholders.  The Ministry took control of the project, to ensure that Fiji’s growth and development is undertaken in a sustainable manner and is transformative.
 
Mr. Speakers Sir, on New Town Development, Fiji is becoming increasingly urbanised with approximately half its population living in urban and peri urban areas. A significant percentage of Fiji’s GDP is produced in urban areas, and this has added pressure to land due to competing uses. Urbanisation is real and rapid in Fiji, and with it comes its share of positives and challenges.
 
The urban areas Mr. Speaker Sir establishes the space and pace for rural economic development through provision of markets, agro processing centres and transit points into larger centres. This had led to added pressure on urban services and utilities provision such as road network, efficient and safe water supply, electricity and solid waste collection and disposal. In the 20232024 financial year, the Ministry commenced phase 1 of 3 critical development projects, these included Nabouwalu Passenger Terminal, Nabouwalu Town Centre and Keiyasi new town development.  The Seaqaqa town development project is being initiated with the market facility project.  
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, moving forward, the Ministry will strategically develop Concept Plans for Navua, Taveuni, Dreketi, and Vunidawa over the financial year, fostering sustainable growth and community well-being, and recognising the importance of rural- urban linkages. 
 
In addition, Market Development in the respective municipalities is conducive to growth of new economic activities. The Mini Market in Dreketi has been successfully completed in September 2023, whilst my Ministry is working towards the Main Market for the Dreketi satellite town. The markets in Savusavu, Nakasi, and Levuka will be completed in the 2023-2024 financial year. Levuka market is expected to be opened in April 2024; Savusavu and Nakasi in July 2024.

Taveuni market will be a key development focus for the 20242025 financial year. 
 
Mr. Speaker Sir,
Together with the Market Development and other infrastructure projects funded by the Municipal Councils, we continue to beautify our cities and towns.
 
We wish to ensure that there is a boost in economic activities and for that we need clean, safe, and beautiful cities and towns. The Councils have been urged to enhance their service delivery to the ratepayers, residents, and the community at large. I have challenged the Councils to review and strengthen their internal policies, plans and standard operating procedures to address the needs of our people better. It is imperative that we uplift the image of the Councils as well as the municipalities and change the way we do business.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry through the Town & Country Planning Department, focused on identifying and addressing process issues for building and development planning approvals.  A pilot project was launched with 3 councils that helped further improve process issues. In a nutshell, within the first three months i.e. September to November 2023, processing turnaround timelines have significantly improved by 90%. Furthermore, with the digitalisation of building permits, there is an urgent need to review and modernise the Town and Country Planning Act.  We need legislation that can respond to the needs of a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Since the revised process has been implemented approximately $500 million worth of building developments have been approved by the Department.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, once again, I commend His Excellency, the President for his opening speech and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand before the house to deliver my response.
 
Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir.
 
May God Bless Fiji and May God Bless us All.