Surveying staff need to be registered to be given practical experience.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Malakai Finau made the comment at the weeklong Fiji Institute of Surveyors Annual Congress.

It was held at the Uprising Beach Resort.

“We encourage surveying staff to be registered and we give them practical experience. At the moment there is an increase in the demand for surveyors, as Fiji is stepping into modernisation and vast development around the nation” Mr Finau said.

A keynote address was delivered by Deputy Director General Audrey Aumua, Pacific Community (SPC).

“The Fiji Institute of Surveyors is a professional organisation which is synergistic in nature, meaning that the effect of a collection of people is greater than just one person. In perspective, surveyors lay the basic foundations for a modernised nation and you must get it right the first time,” Ms Aumua said.

“This year’s survey congress will address various issues of surveying in the nation. It will elaborate on bringing about change in the advancement of survey profession in Fiji.

“The issue of challenges faced of surveyors in Fiji is the shortages of surveyors. It was also highlighted in the recent budget that we need to address.”

“The professional development in this workforce is needed to assist in the journey of sustainable development in Fiji.  I am pleased to see some of the women in this work field which represents the dynamic in this sector” Ms Aumua said.

There are currently 36 registered surveyors in Fiji of, which five are in the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.

“We need to continue to build on our strengths to make Fiji an attractive place, not only for investment, but for professionals from all sectors, he said.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute and Fiji Institute of Surveyors to address surveying issues in the nation and also upgrade the knowledge behind a professional surveyor.

“Land surveying is critical in the world we live in today. Surveyors are the first professionals to create a project, from planning and designing of land subdivisions through to the final construction of roads, utilities and landscaping,” Ms Aumua said.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola      

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