The government is making significant strides in its land administration process with the launch of Phase Two of the e-plan lodgement system. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, unveiled this innovative online platform designed to allow surveyors from both private firms and government agencies to submit plans digitally. This advancement aims to greatly enhance efficiency, transparency, and access to crucial cadastral data.
Minister Vosarogo explained that Phase One successfully laid the groundwork by establishing an internal system for Ministry surveyors, streamlining workflows and setting the stage for a broader implementation. The e-plan system addresses a longstanding challenge in the land sector, where plan approvals could previously take as long as 90 days or even years. The Ministry is now targeting a 45% reduction in assessment time, with a goal of achieving a turnaround of just 30 days.
This faster processing is anticipated to deliver substantial benefits not only to the public and investors but also to various stakeholders, all while bolstering Fiji’s digital infrastructure. Vosarogo highlighted that by integrating this new system with other government databases, land data will be more accurate, secure, and managed cohesively across the nation.
Additionally, the initiative encourages collaboration between public and private surveyors by standardizing the use of common survey software throughout Fiji. This collaborative approach aligns with the Ministry’s broader objective of effectively managing, developing, and administering state land.
The Minister also recognized the contributions of the Ministry’s IT team, including Meizyanne Hicks, Rocky Gucake, Jennie Bentley, Shivnish Singh, and Onesmus Pasikali, commending their historic effort in developing the platform in-house.
The introduction of the e-plan lodgement system represents a vital milestone in the government’s ongoing dedication to digitizing services, enhancing efficiency, and supporting national infrastructure and land development initiatives. This innovation paves the way for a new era in land administration in Fiji, promising a more streamlined and effective approach to land management moving forward.