Opposition MP Parveen Bala has urged the Government to retain manual submission options during the transition to a fully digital town planning approval system, warning that many Fijians may be left behind if the shift happens too quickly.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Bala said the Opposition supports reforms that improve public service delivery but stressed the importance of inclusivity.
“We support reforms that will improve the service delivery for our people,” he said.
“However, I would like to humbly request the Minister to revisit the provision for the manual system.”
Bala noted that the Minister has stated the digital system will be launched in December and fully operational by February. He said the move toward a digital submissions and approval process aligns with global trends, but Fiji’s realities must be considered.
“That is the direction the world is moving towards, and we accept that. But we must not forget the reality in Fiji… Many citizens, small contractors and rural communities lack digital literacy,” Bala told Parliament.
He added that connectivity challenges still persist in several areas.
“Some regions still lack reliable connectivity, and therefore I urge the ministry to retain this manual submission pathway, at least during this transition period. We cannot leave behind people who simply cannot access digital system services,” he said.
Bala also questioned the implementation plan and called for clearer communication with the public.
“A digital system is only as good as the people who use it. We request the Minister to inform us on what are the training plans for municipal staff, surveyors, engineers and the general public. What are the public awareness programs to ensure applicants understand how to use the new system?” he asked.
He further sought clarification on realistic timelines for rollout, testing, troubleshooting and full implementation of the digital platform.
Bala urged the Government to ensure that the transition to a digital planning system is fair, practical and accessible to all Fijians.
