The shortage of qualified personnel in the field of Geo-science is a growing concern in Fiji.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Malakai Finau says this is affecting the country especially when a natural disaster strikes.
He says there is not enough staff to monitor natural disasters such as cyclones, tsunamis and flooding.
”We have identified the shortage of qualified staff in the area of Geo-science for example qualified geologists, mining engineers, meteorologists and other areas and we are going to make submissions in order to improve the services because there are benefits.”
He says currently, those who want to study geology have to travel abroad and very few returns to Fiji to provide services.
Finau says the ministry will make submissions so that Fiji can implement courses in the local universities to help address this issue.
