RELOCATION TO THE NEW OFFICE COMPLEX

The Great Council of Chiefs, which is the epitome of traditional leadership in Fiji and Fijian Administration, proposed some years ago for the inauguration of its new complex. In 2005, the traditional ceremonies including the “vakasobu duru” were undertaken with the Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa officiating. The solemnity of the occasion was overwhelming, as the new complex is centrally located, close to Government House, of which the President of the Republic of Fiji resides (a nominee of the Great Council of Chiefs). The name of the place in itself is significant as it is synonymous to Draiba (Nasova) Levuka, where the administration of Government in Fiji was initially established.

With the complex nearing completion (however, its progress often hampered by bad weather), the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is eager to relocate to the new Complex by April, 2009 because all its services will be centralized, given the current scene with its offices in various buildings across Suva.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs’ Office is situated along Carnavon Street, directly opposite the NLTB car park. On the otherhand, the Ministry’s headquarters is located at Knolly Plaza – accommodated herewith include the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services (incl. Accounts Section), Secretary to the Tribunal, Management Information System, and the Fijian Affairs Scholarship Unit. The Native Lands and Fisheries Commission is situated at Suvavou House whilst the Institute of Fijian Language & Culture is occupying the Loftus Building along Loftus Street, Suva. With the Policy Analysis and Research Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office assigned to the Ministry early last year they are accommodated at New Wing of Government Buildings.

With their varying locations and often inaccessibility, it is opportune that the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and its departments will relocate to the new GCC Complex so that all services rendered to the public by the Ministry will be available at a “one-stop-shop”.

The Ministry will occupy the north wing of the Complex (side adjacent to Government House). Each departments has been assigned various sections of the 3 floors of the North Wing. Each departments has its own layout plans for the complex, which will add to the atmosphere of habituating a complex of such caliber.

Services offered by the Ministry will resume once again after all departments have settled in the North Wing accordingly.

It is the Ministry’s fervent hope that its new location, within considerable walking distance from the City of Suva, will assist those who might have missed many of its services because of its varied locations. Its centrality will contribute greatly to the eventuation of its Vision that is an “Enlightened and Progressive Fijian Society”.