Government Information and Referral Centre

Submitted by TemoL on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 07:10

A new Government Information and Referral Centre [GIRC] will be officially opened next week.

According to the Permanent Secretary, PSC, Mr Parmesh Chand, the Centre is located at the building that once housed the Fiji Visitors Bureau.

Given that most Government offices are located in different parts of the greater Suva area, members of the public often find it quite difficult to access these offices.

The new GIRC will be a focal point for the provision of information. Furthermore, the Centre will also become a point of referral to ordinary citizens who wish to access information and assistance from Government.

Currently, when members of the public need information from one, or more than one Ministry, they are often required to visit different ministry headquarters.

Once the GIRC is operational, such cumbersome travelling will not be necessary, as all business can be conducted from this one location.

The Centre will be equipped with specialized computers and technology that will enable quick and efficient communication from the Centre to all other Government Ministries. Its central location should be an advantage, and members of the public should find it easily accessible.

The new Centre, according to Mr Chand, is part of the initiative for state reforms, that should enhance service delivery to all members of the public. Its establishment has come about through a partnership between the Public Service Commission and the Information Technology Centre [ITC].

The Call Centre is currently being renovated, and all technical facilities should be put in place by staff of ITC, by the end of the week. The official opening of the Government Information and Referral Centre should mark a milestone achievement in state service delivery in Fiji.