Our Honorable Min-

ister hands staff a

copy of the ACP.

lead to the development

of a new National Securi-

ty Policy and White Paper

for Defense, Police and

I m m i g r a t i o n .

Through the provision of

policy, intelligence and

security advice the Minis-

try aims to build the trust

and confidence of the

ordinary members of the

public in the National

Security Sector.

The Ministry's Annual

Corporate Plan (ACP) for

2015 was officially

launched on 30th Janu-

ary 2015, at the Immi-

g r a t i o n

Head Office in Suva.

The Honorable Minister

for the Ministry of De-

fense, National Security

and Immigration Mr.

Timoci Lesikivatukoula

Natuva, was the Chief

G u e s t .

Members from the Minis-

try and the department

of Immigration together

with invited guest from

respective stakeholders

were present to witness

t h e l a u n c h i n g .

One key output in the

Corporate Plan for 2015

is the conduct of a Na-

tional Security and De-

fense Review that will

Launching of the Ministry's ACP

Business Plan 2015

The Business Plan (BP) is

the department’s annual

plan for the year 2015

which outlines the vari-

ous output and strate-

gies to be undertaken

during the year. It is de-

rived from the Ministry’s

ACP of which the latter’s

output are measured

and monitored by the

ICO. It is also is aligned

to the Ministry of De-

fense, National Security

and Immigration strate-

gic direction and priori-

ties set within govern-

ment’s major outcomes

(Fiji first Manifesto) and

the roadmap for democ-

racy and sustainable

socio-Economic Develop-

ment 2009-2014.

This year’s business plan

was signed by the Direc-

tor Nemani Vuniwaqa

and Deputy Secretary

Jonisio Mara on the 3rd

of February, 2015. The

parties agree to review

the performance in ac-

cordance with the proce-

dures set out in the per-

formance Planning and

Review system.

The Department focuses

on the provision of effi-

cient and effective immi-

gration services in contri-

bution to the Ministry’s

aim of ensuring the

maintenance of peace,

security and stability of

the government of Fiji.

This year’s business plan

is driven and headed by

the Management team

with the assessment

being conducted on a

quarterly basis to meas-

ure the progress.

Department of Immigration

31 March 2015

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Gatekeeper

2014 ICO Per-

formance Rat-

ing for the Min-

istry of Defence,

National Securi-

ty & Immigra-

tion

65.52% in the 1st

quarter

92.36% in the 2nd

quarter

97.09% in the 3rd

quarter

99.01% in the 4th

quarter

Inside this issue:

Launching of the Minis-

try’s ACP,

Business Plan 2015,

IBMS Refresher Training

1

DI’s Quarterly Visit to

Outer Stations,

Immigration Laws Work-

shop,

Staff Movement for the

first quarter 2015

2

National Defence Forum,

Cooperation with Rokos,

Farewell for Mr. Perera,

C&I division report

3

Staff Profile 4

Immigration staff USP

graduates 5

2015 Induction,

Transfers etc. 6

Photo Gallery 7

IBMS Refresher Training

This was the first hands-

on IBMS (Integrated Bor-

der Management System)

training held in the de-

partment’s training room

since the implementation

of IBMS in DOI. The train-

ing was held for two days

at the Training Room from

9th March to 10th March

and total of 21 partici-

pants. These participants

were technical officers

from Levuka, Labasa,

Savusavu, West & Suva

office.

The training was mainly

focused on online pro-

cessing such as border

processing and receiving

of all sorts of applica-

tions like passports, citi-

zenships, visas and per-

mits.

IBMS refresher at

the Suva office.

The Director of Immigration’s

(DI) 2015 first quarter site

visit started from the West-

ern office then Levuka and

proceeded to Labasa and

Savusavu.

The visit ended on the 8th of

January. From the 4th to the

6th of February, a team ac-

companied DI to Levuka.

Team included Udite, Maika,

Inosi, Tevita and Sailosi Ko-

to. The team had all of the

visit objectives accomplished

like the installing of work

stations and office sign-

board, re-connection of GOV-

NET network connections

and survey of the quarters

provided by the PSC.

Then DI headed North to our

Labasa and Savusavu offic-

es. The visit was for two (2)

days from the 12th of Febru-

ary to the 13th of February.

Team included DI, Nimilote,

Inosi and Maika. All officers

were handed a copy of the

ACP & BP. IBMS issues were

attended to by Maika while

Nimilote surveyed the office

premises.

The Team headed for Sa-

vusavu on the 12th of March

right after the visit to Labasa

office and spent the night at

Hot spring hotel. DI was invit-

ed to Laucala Island next

morning in which both

Labasa/Savusavu team ac-

companied DI to Laucala and

back. He visited the Sa-

vusavu Office and just like

Labasa, Maika attended to

all IBMS queries while Nimi-

lote surveyed the Savusavu

office premises.

Director Immigration Quarterly Visit to Outer Stations

Staff Movement for the first quarter 2015

Immigration Laws Workshop

areas that may be miss-

construed.

The workshop was attended

by fourteen (14) senior immi-

gration officers from all sta-

tions. It was very effective

and a success as partici-

pants were able to ponder

and deliberate on many is-

sues that were unclear which

has created inconsistency in

our functions and advice to

the members of the public.

It is the Department’s mis-

sion to continue to look for

ways to improve our services

and contribute significantly

to economic growth.

The two (2) days Immigration

Laws workshop, which was

held at the Governments

Centre for Training and De-

velopment (CTD), was the

first for the Department.

Officers from the Solicitor

General’s Office conducted

presentations on our laws to

clarify issues of concern and

“It was very

effective and a

success as

participants

were able to

ponder and

deliberate on

many issues

that were

unclear...”.

Page 2 The Gatekeeper

Director Immigra-

tion engaging in

discussion with

Senior Immigration

Officer Northern Mr.

Ifereimi Dakunikui-

la.

Name Position Station Date of Appointment

New Appointments

Alivinia Kinikinilala Immigration Inspector Labasa Office 28/1/2015

Marama Wata Immigration Inspector Labasa Office 28/1/2015

Semi Finau Waqa Immigration Inspector Labasa Office 28/1/2015

Inosi Tikoilevuka Driver Headquarters 9/1/2015

Vinaya Tubunaruarua Driver Nadi Office 9/1/2015

Radhika Mani Immigration Inspector Headquarters 9/1/2015

Tatiana Antonio Immigration Inspector Headquarters 9/1/2015

Aporosa Vonuqaqa System Analyst Programmer Headquarters 3/2/3015

Alanieta Dau Assistant Programmer Headquarters 3/2/3015

Seremaia Vibose Cleaner Headquarters 14/4/2015

Ashok Kumar Driver Nadi Office 14/4/2015

Promotions

Ifereimi Dakunikuila Senior Immigration Officer Nadi Office 26/3/2015

Laisani Colamotokarua Senior Immigration Officer Headquarters 26/3/2015

Ravineshwaran Nair Assistant Immigration Officer Headquarters 26/3/2015

Prime Minister Voreqe Bain-

imarama has taken a firm

aim at international crimi-

nals wanting to use Fiji in

their unscrupulous dealings,

warning that Fiji will not

stand for it. In his speech to

open the National Defence

Forum in Suva, 20/2/2015,

Mr. Bainimarama said Fiji

was seeing the positive ef-

fects of globalisation but at

the same time, it had made

Fiji vulnerable to those who

would exploit us.

The forum was convened

specifically to begin work on

a national security and de-

fence review, which will un-

derpin Fiji's overall security

effort across a broad front.

He said the examples of

money laundering and hu-

man trafficking were clear

cases of criminals trying to

exploit Fiji.

"We may be less vulnerable

to terrorism than some of

our bigger neighbours, but

no country is immune in the

current volatile global envi-

ronment," Mr Bainimarama

said.

"Criminals are using Fijians

to open bank accounts in

their names to launder the

proceeds of crimes, to put

that money back into the

banking system and make it

clean.

"With both money laundering

and the threat of terrorism,

we need to identify the holes

in our present security ar-

rangements and plug

them." (source Fiji Times).

National Defence Forum

“...how to handle

foreigners

arriving at our

porous

borders...”.

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

Participants of the

National Defence

Forum at the Grand

Pacific Hotel.

Assistant Director Immigra-

tion Mr. Brown, accompanied

by Manager Passports &

Citizenship Mr. Sakiusa and

Assistant Immigration Officer

Mr. Koli, did a presentation

on 25/3/2015 at the the

Nanukuloa Provincial Office

in Ra to Roko Tui's on how

to handle foreigners arriving

at our porous borders, espe-

cially our Maritime Islands.

An MOU is expected to be

signed between the iTaukei

Affairs Board and the Depart-

ment of Immigration in the

near future.

Cooperation with Rokos

On 13/3/2015, we bid fare-

well to Mr. Suren Perera. He

was the second support engi-

neer from Informatics Inter-

national Limited. Informatics

International Limited devel-

oped the IBMS for the De-

partment. The company had

been contracted to provide

support for the IBMS for 5

years. Each support engineer

will spend 1 year in the coun-

try. Mr. Perera's predecessor

was Mr. Namal Fernando.

Mr. Sadananthan replaces

Mr. Perera. At the same time,

Immigration Officers are be-

ing trained to support IBMS

so that they can take over

when there is no other sup-

port engineer present in the

country.

After 5 years, Informatics

International Limited will only

be providing online support.

Farewell for Mr. Perera

The major challenges and

opportunity in 2015 are the

identification of advanced

immigration crime tactics.

These are used by suspi-

cious individuals or orga-

nized group. Examples of

these immigration related

malpractices are document

fraud, people smuggling and

trafficking, identity fraud,

organization of illegal worker

activity and any other activi-

ties that support circumven-

tion of Immigration law or

policy.

The Division relies on com-

plaints received from con-

cerned citizens and law en-

forcement agencies in identi-

fying violation of Immigration

laws. In order to monitor and

successfully handle cases,

the Division has redesigned

the Complaints and Investi-

gations SOP and also ensure

that all working document

are followed by officers

whilst on duty.

The following are our

achievement to target ratios

for the First Quarter 2015:

S u r v e i l l a n c e : 4 / 3

Inves t iga t ions : 41/25

I n s p e c t i o n s : 3 0 / 3 7

R e m o v a l : 3 0 / 2 5

Trafficking cases: 1/1

Compliance & Investigation division report

Mr. Perera (left) and

his successor Mr.

Sadananthan.

Ms. Siteri Logavatu is a 26

year old Immigration Inspec-

tor that hails from Levuka,

Lakeba, Lau. She is based at

the headquarters office in

Suva. She has a son, Mala-

kai Tubea Bulivakarua and a

very supportive family that

will always push and encour-

age her with her work.

“Life in the Suva office is

quite challenging with work

at the office but out in the

field however it is where one

exposes and shine oneself to

the nation”.

“I’ve always tried to treat

people the way I’d like to be

treated. That’s probably one

reason I know so many peo-

ple and so many people

know me”.

Work Experience

September 2010:

Volunteer attachment with

Registry and later to the

Compliance and Investiga-

tion Section based at Suva

Office.

May – September 2011:

Temporary Relieving Clerical

Officer (TRCO) at the Pass-

port Section, Suva Office and

later transferred to the Lau-

toka Office.

April 2012:

Clerical Officer – Promoted

and posted to Registry Sec-

tion, Suva office.

April 2013:

Immigration Inspector – Pro-

moted to Permit Section,

Suva office.

September 2014 to date:

Acting Assistant Immigration

Officer and still based at the

Permit Section.

Challenges Faced

Being the only officer pro-

cessing all applications espe-

cially at the beginning of a

school year.

Personal Achievements

2010: Graduate Diploma in

Business Studies majoring in

Customs.

2012: Certificate of Partici-

pation in Exceptional Cus-

tomer Service Training. Cer-

tificate of Participation in

Rec o rds M an a g emen t

Course.

2014: Certificate of Partici-

pation on Immigration In-

spector Induction Course.

2015: Employee of the

month of March at the De-

partment of Immigration.

Best Memory

Being awarded the employee

off the month certificate for

the month March.

Advise To Staff

“Hard work is the key to suc-

cess and stay focused in

providing the best service to

internal and external cus-

tomers”.

“Remember in everything we

do, always give thanks to the

Lord Almighty who has given

the breath of life and

strength”.

Staff Profile - Employee of the month of March 2015

“Hard work is

the key to

success and

stay focused in

providing the

best service to

internal and

external

customers”.

Page 4 The Gatekeeper

Ms. Logavatu, our

feature employee.

Birthday celebrities of First Quarter 2015

As a tradition, the DOI family

continued to celebrate the

birthdays of staff who were

born in the quarters of every

year. This quarter, a party

was held at the Suva office.

A cake was made for that

special occasion.

The birthday celebrities

were:

Ms. Arieta Sivo

Ms. Saurara Waqale-

vu

Ms. Sereima Roko-

vada

Ms. Vandhana Devi

Mr. Leslie Cama

Ms. Savilla Devi

Ms. Tatiana Antonio

Ms. Shayla Rani

Mr. Kalisi Sakiusa

Mr. Maika Koli

Ms. Ateca Kabakoro

Ms. Mereani Gucake

Ms. Sera Mataele

Ms. Ateca Rayawa

Mr. Karan Deepak

Mr. Sanjay Prasad

Mr. Isoa Ratuvasu

Mr. Tevita Turagalevu

Mr. Nimilote Naisoro-

tabua

“A Better Fiji for All through

Strong Leadership and Excel-

lence in Service”. This is the

vision set by our Prime Minis-

ter. The People’s Charter for

Change, Peace and Progress

captures his vision and the

aspirations of the Fijian peo-

ple on how to build the na-

tion and progress it forward

on a sustainable and demo-

cratic platform.

Pillar 9 of the Charter is,

making Fiji a knowledge-

based society. It underscores

one of the Government’s

objectives in progressing

national change through

improved advance infor-

mation technology, and de-

veloping Fiji as an attractive

info-communications hub in

the region.

The above vision can only be

reached if civil servants are

up to par with technology

and very well educated, and

that has forced Government

now to make it mandatory

for all civil servants to up-

grade their education back-

ground in order to get pro-

moted to the next level. Mini-

mum Qualification Require-

ment (MQR) has been intro-

duced in the civil service to

encourage all to be able to

compete with the private

sector.

We asked two senior officers

about their experiences

while studying, and got the

following response;

Q: How many hours you

spent studying daily?

NANISE: As for me I took four

units in one trimester with

four hours spent in the lec-

ture room from 10am to

2pm daily, Monday to Thurs-

day. I normally reach home

at 11 pm – 12am daily as

most of those times spent

reading and researching in

the lab.

PENE: The truth!!.....I hardly

touch my books. I do my best

to grasp all I can during class

Q: What sacrifices you made

minor/major?

NANISE: The Minor sacrifice

is that I have to shift from my

old residence in Nakelo in

Nausori and move to stay

with a friend of mine in Ma-

koi.

Major sacrifices are that for

me to leave my work without

pay for ten months and con-

centrate studying. Cut down

expenses especially to my

children in which three of

them attending tertiary edu-

cation and another in sec-

ondary school.

PENE: Spending time in class

itself is a big sacrifice. I value

my time with my family and

to spend the evenings at-

tending classes is a big time

sacrifice. Secondly, my tui-

tion fees. Having to sacrifice

$1300.00 per unit is a big

sacrifice but it pays off.

Q: Did you ever feel that you

were neglecting your family?

NANISE: I do at times, as

most of the time is spent on

campus and in the lab.

PENE: To some extent yes,

especially for my son in class

5. Wife is forever coming

home late from work while I

do afternoon classes that

finishes at 9pm. It hurts to

know that most evenings he

just went off to sleep without

a proper meal. Can’t really

depend on my older kids to

be mummy and daddy for

him.

Q: Were you able to balance

work, family, and study?

NANISE: I have made a sacri-

fice to leave work aside for a

while without pay and just to

concentrate on study and

family for ten months howev-

er at the end of each day; I

have to make sure that my

study does not jeopardize

into anything regarding fami-

ly matters.

PENE: It’s a must I make up

in the weekend by taking

them out. They love to be at

the foreshore and that’s

where we go most week-

ends.

Q: Were you faced with any

challenges?

NANISE: There are many

challenges faced daily espe-

cially on whatever little sav-

ings I had and have to divide

it amongst myself and my

children. Long hours spent

daily at the lab in trying to

complete four various as-

signments from the four dif-

ferent units, accompanying

with loads of writing and

research work.

PENE: The most challenge

that one faces in life is mon-

ey. Even the rich continue to

find ways to make more

money and can never be

satisfied. I have four kids in

school. 2 in tertiary, 1 in sec-

ondary and 1 in primary. The

two in tertiary are private

students and I have my own

tertiary fees to worry about.

The only driving factor is the

will to progress academically

for enhancement.

Q: Why did you choose to

further your education?

NANISE: I chose further edu-

cation as I want to up-skill

myself and to gain further

knowledge not only for immi-

gration work but for other

areas of work also.

PENE: It has been constitut-

Immigration staff USP graduates

“It hurts to

know that most

evenings he just

went off to

sleep without a

proper meal”.

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

Mr. Sakiusa, Ms.

Buruso and Mr.

Suliana after the

graduation.

ment bid farewell to Military

personnel Mr. Paula Yavita

and Mr. Aminiasi Qima, who

were attached with the de-

partment since year 2007.

After the elections they opt-

ed to return to the camp. The

two were very active in Immi-

gration work and were at-

tached at Passports and

Compliance unit respectively.

Mr. Subash Chand joined the

civil service as a driver on

12/05/2006 and retired on

02/04/2015 as he turned

55 years old. He was em-

ployed by our department for

4 years from 2011.

Au revoir, bon voyage, see

you later, goodbye, are some

of the things we say when

someone dear to us is leav-

ing and won’t be seen for a

long time. This is mostly

done in the department dur-

ing farewells, resignations,

and retirements, whereas at

funerals, we end up saying

Rest in Peace.

It is a very much sad affair,

and often leaves us in tears

and sorrow. Everybody hates

goodbyes, but sometime in

our lives we have to learn to

let go.

In the first quarter on

26/02/2015 the depart-

The Bible says in Job 34:15,

“all mankind would perish

together and man would

return to the dust”. If it is

written, so shall happen but

let us not forget that it is also

written in Rev 20:6 “Blessed

and holy are those who have

part in the first resurrection.

The second death has no

power over them, but they

will be priests of God and of

Christ and will reign with him

for a thousand years”. With

much sadness and heartfelt

condolences the department

paid their last respect to Ms.

Raijeli Cawai, and Mr. Jerry

Waqasaqa who lost their

fathers while Ms. Sera Ma-

taele lost her mother.

ed and made mandatory by

the current government

which by the way was a very

wise decision.

Q: How do you feel after

achieving your goal? And are

you going to continue your

studies?

NANISE: I felt relieved. It is

an immense achievement.

Initially I thought I was

dreaming as for me to attain

Master’s Degree within a

span of ten months. I am

forever thankful to my Crea-

tor for his everlasting grace

into my life.

Yes, definitely I will continue

with further studies. Sky is

the limit.

PENE: This is the highest

achievement for me and it’s

a proud moment. The road

doesn’t end here. I have oth-

er programs in mind and will

definitely pursue further.

Staff of Immigration Depart-

ment took this as a chal-

lenge, and enrolled in vari-

ous recognised universities

to pursue further education.

After hard work and dedica-

tion the following officers

graduated from USP whereas

others are still pursuing.

Professional Diploma in

Business Management grad-

uates:

- Deepak Karan

- Lusiana Rakanace

- Ravineshwaran Nair

Post Graduate Certificate in

Human Resources gradu-

ates:

- Pene Suliana

- Rachna Singh

- Laleena Vandhana

- Rasieli Bau

- Kalisi Sakiusa

Immigration staff USP graduates (cont’d)

Transfers, Resignations, Retirements and Obituaries

2015 Induction

erables for 2015.

The course basically intro-

duces all new officers to the

machinery and arms of the

Government which is the

foundation and platform for

anyone wishing to work or

take up a career in the civil

service.

Course participants were

also introduced to the func-

tions and responsibilities of

respective sections of the

department defining its spe-

cific roles in accordance to

the laws that governs the

department’s functions.

This was funded by the de-

partment having managers

and senior officers as train-

ers with the inclusion of Ms.

Christine Deegan from the

Australian High Commission

taking charge on lessons for

Document Inspections and

Fraud Identifications.

The three (3) days Induction

Training was held at the Gov-

ernment Centre for Training

and Development from 16th

February to 18th February

which was officially opened

by the Assistant Director

Immigration Mr. Edward

Brown.

It is an initiative of the de-

partment to induct all new

recruits which is also in line

with our Business Plan deliv-

“The second

death has no

power over

them...”

Page 6 The Gatekeeper

Participants of the

2015 Induction

Training.

Photo Gallery

Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1

30/1/2015 - The Honourable Minister launches the

Ministry’s ACP 2015 at the Suva office.

30/1/2015 - Staff sing the national anthem during

the launch of the ACP 2015 at the Suva office.

25/3/2015 - Participants in the Nanukuloa Provin-

cial Office, Ra during Assistant Director’s trip there.

18/3/2015 - Director of Immigration’s official trip

to the Labasa office.

17/2/2015 - The Honourable Minister’s official trip

to the Labasa office.

18/2/2015 - Inductees get ready to receive their

Induction Certificates at the Suva office.

5/3/2015 - Immigration Law workshop at the Centre

for Training & Development in Nasese. 19/3/2015 - Director of Immigration’s official trip to

Laucala island.

969 Rodwell road,

Suva.

P.O. Box 2224,

Government Building,

Suva.

Phone: 331 2622

Fax: 3301653

E-mail: fijiimmigration@govnet.gov.fj

Department of Immigration

W E ’RE ON THE WEB ! W WW . IMMI GR ATION . GOV . FJ

Securing Migration and

Economic Development

through Innovative

Transformation

The Newsletter Team

Writers

Pene Suliana

Maika Koli

Ravineshwar Nair

Leslie Cama

Salesi Cama

Aporosa Vonuqaqa

Contributors

Litia Saumaka

Laleena Devi

Ifereimi Dakunikuila

Photographer

Leslie Cama

Layout

Salesi Cama

Aporosa Vonuqaqa

Page 8 The Gatekeeper

27/3/2015 - Mr. Sakisa & Mr. Suliana attending

the USP graduation at the Vodafone Arena.

20/2/2015 - Participants at the National Security

and Defence Review at the Grand Pacific Hotel.

9/3/2015 - IBMS Refresher training at the Suva

office.

13/3/2015 - Farewell party for Mr. Perera at the

Suva office.

31/3/2015 - The Defence Review team at the

Suva office .

17/2/2015 - Staff induction training at the Cen-

tre for Training & Development in Nasese.

18/2/2015 - Reguregu for Ms. Mataele’s mother

in Raiwai.

19/2/2015 - Farewell party for Mr. Yavita & Mr.

Qima at the Suva office.