Salutation
- The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon. Maciu Nalumisa,
- The Board of Directors, Senior Management and Staff of the Public Rental Board,
- The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Manasa Lesuma & your fellow Permanent Secretaries and Senior Government Officials,
- Key Stakeholders of the Housing Industry,
- Community Leaders and Members of Jittu Estate,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and a very Good Afternoon to you all.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva and I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders and I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua, We are grateful for their custodianship, which allows us to convene for this important occasion.
Introduction
- It is both an honour and privilege to join you this afternoon as we officially open sixteen (16) new flats for the Public Rental Board (PRB) Lagilagi Housing Estate.
- This occasion is more than the commissioning of a housing development—it is a reaffirmation of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life of our people through inclusive, people-centred development.
- Every new home represents dignity, security and opportunity. By providing safe, affordable and quality housing, Government is creating an enabling environment where families can thrive, children can pursue their education in stable surroundings, and communities can contribute more effectively to Fiji’s social and economic development.
2026-2027 Budget
- The Coalition Government remains committed to ensuring that every Fijian has access to safe, affordable and quality housing. Housing is not simply about constructing buildings; it is about investing in people. Secure housing provides the foundation for healthier families, improved educational outcomes, stronger communities and a more productive workforce that contributes meaningfully to national development.
- As announced by the Honourable Minister for Finance in his 2026-2027 Budget Address last week Friday, Government will continue to partner with key stakeholders such as the Public Rental Board (PRB), Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity and Koroipita Model Town Charitable Trust, to ensure this vision is realised.
- With a total budget of $25.6 million allocated in the new financial year, the Ministry of Housing will oversee the continuation of critical programmes, including the First Home Ownership Initiative, Formalisation of Informal Settlements and the Relocation and Resettlement of Informal Settlements. These investments demonstrate Government’s commitment to improving living standards while supporting inclusive and sustainable urban development.
- We recognise that the housing sector continues to face increasing global challenges. Rising construction material costs, labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and the growing impacts of climate change have placed additional pressure on housing delivery and made it increasingly difficult for many families to secure affordable homes. Despite these challenges, the Coalition Government remains steadfast in addressing Fiji’s housing needs.
National Development Plan
- The housing sector continues to represent a significant pillar of our national development. With housing stability closely linked to other socio-economic indicators, such as poverty reduction, the creation of safer and inclusive communities and robust economic growth, it serves as a critical foundation upon which resilient communities are built.
- National frameworks such as the National Development Plan 2025-2029 and the National Housing Policy 2025-2030 remain the guiding blueprints for our strategic interventions, ensuring that adequate financing is directed towards alleviating the burden of escalating housing costs on ordinary Fijians.
Guiding Principles of Development
- This initiative gives effect to the principles underpinning our national frameworks and policy direction. It embodies a considered and sustained commitment to fostering communities that are secure, inclusive, and grounded in dignity, ensuring that the intentions set out in our development plans are realised in ways that meaningfully improve the lives and well-being of our people.
- Guided by these principles, development is advanced in a manner that is measured, sustainable, and resilient, thereby securing lasting benefit for both present and future generations.
Stakeholder Partnership
- Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s opening reflects much more than an investment in infrastructure—it is an investment in Fiji’s future. Quality housing enables families to live with dignity and security while creating the stability necessary for children to learn, parents to work and communities to prosper. In doing so, we are building stronger, healthier and more productive citizens who can actively contribute to Fiji’s economic and social transformation.
- The Coalition Government recognises that sustainable national development depends upon providing quality public services that improve people’s lives. Housing, alongside education, healthcare, water, sanitation and transport, forms the foundation upon which resilient communities and productive economies are built. Through continued investment in these essential services, Government is creating opportunities for every Fijian to realise their full potential while strengthening our nation’s long-term competitiveness and resilience.
- Our partnership with the Public Rental Board and other stakeholders demonstrates what can be achieved when Government, communities and development partners work together with a shared purpose. Together, we are not only delivering homes—we are creating opportunities, restoring hope and building a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous Fiji for generations to come.
- With the completion of 36 flats last year, today’s commissioning of the additional 16 flats and the breaking ground of another 24 flats in the pipeline, Government remains committed to ensuring our national policies and partnerships are translated into tangible outcomes for all Fijians.
- I am also pleased to launch PRB’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which reinforces national commitments towards innovative housing solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable communities that cater to the evolving needs of our families.
Regional Importance
- This occasion marks a significant national milestone, while also reflecting challenges common across the Pacific region. As urban centres continue to expand and housing demands intensify, this development represents a thoughtful and deliberate response, it underscores the importance of planning, partnership, and a shared commitment to improving living standards for all.
- These efforts contribute to a regional vision grounded in stability, resilience, and inclusive progress. They affirm Fiji’s role in advancing practical and sustainable approaches to development, while reinforcing a collective aspiration across the Pacific to ensure that growth is balanced, communities are strengthened, and the benefits of development are equitably shared.
Ocean of Peace
- The principle of the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace” finds practical expression in initiatives such as this development. By advancing stable, inclusive, and dignified communities, such efforts contribute to the broader regional commitment to harmony, resilience, and shared prosperity. In this way, national progress reinforces the collective aspiration to maintain a Pacific region defined by cooperation, security, and enduring peace.
Closing Message
- Ladies and Gentlemen, let today reaffirm our combined efforts towards national progress and unity as we continue to work hand in hand to build a resilient, more inclusive and a prosperous Fiji where no family or community is left behind.
- At this juncture, I would like to commend the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of PRB for their exceptional leadership and foresight, in ensuring that these critical housing projects were brought to timely fruition, providing safe, dignified and affordable housing for our Fijian families.
- Let us also reflect on the wisdom of the late Nelson Mandela, who believed that: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.”
- Let today’s commissioning remind us of our collective responsibility to uphold these values, ensuring that access to safe, secure and affordable housing is not treated as a luxury, but as a fundamental right that anchors the dignity of every Fijian.
- Vinaka vakalevu, Dhaanyavad and Thank you.
- May God bless you all and may God bless Fiji.
