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Natural Disaster Management Act 1998

FIJI

NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998

No. 21 of 1998

I assent.

[L.S.]

K.K.T. MARA
President

[15 June 1998]

AN ACT

TO MAKE BETTER PROVISION FOR PERFORMANCE BY GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT AGENCIES OF THEIR FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND RELATED MATTERS

ENACTED by the Parliament of Fiji -

Part 1 - PRELIMINARY

Short title and commencement

1.-(1) This Act may be cited as the Natural Disaster Management Act, 1998.

(2) This Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the Minister and published in the Gazette.

Interpretation

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

"agency" means every department of Government, every member of the Council, and every other statutory authority, community organisation or person which or who is given a role in disaster management by the National Disaster Management Plan;

'"Agency Support Plan" means the procedures developed by the National Disaster Management Office in conjunction with agencies, outlining procedures to be followed by agencies for responding to the threat of a disaster;

"Deputy Secretary" means the Deputy Secretary subordinate to the Permanent Secretary responsible for disaster management;

"Director" means the person appointed as Director of the National Disaster Management Office under section 8(2);

"disaster" means a natural disaster and includes the occurrence of a major misfortune which disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community, or an event or series of events which give rise to casualties, and/or damage or loss of property, infra-structure, essential services or means of livelihood on a scale which is beyond the normal capacity of the affected communities to cope with unaided, but does not include man-made disasters;

"disaster area" means an area of the Fiji Islands in respect of which a natural disaster has been declared under section 17;

"disaster management" means all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters, including both pre-and post-disaster activities and includes the management of both the risks and the consequences of disasters;

"disaster mitigation" means all activities undertaken in anticipation of the occurrence of a potential disaster, including preparedness and long-term risk reduction measures:

"disaster preparedness" means measures to ensure the readiness and ability of society to-

(a) forecast and take precautionary measures in advance of an imminent threat of disaster (in cases where advance warnings are possible); and

(b) respond to and cope with effects of a disaster by organising and delivering timely and effective rescue, relief and other appropriate post-disaster assistance;

"Disaster Service Liaison Officer" means a prison appointed under section l5 (1);

"Emergency Committee" means the committee of that name established by section 7(a);

"emergency operation" means action taken in response to a declaration of a natural disaster under section 17 to minimise or contain the eventual negative effects, and action taken to preserve lives and provide basic services in the immediate aftermath of a disaster for so long as an emergency situation prevails;

"Emergency Operations Centre" means a suitably equipped and, staffed area or room, from within which emergency operations are conducted either at the national, divisional or district level;

"emergency situation" means a situation in the whole of the Fiji Islands, or any part of them, which has resulted in a natural disaster being declared under section 17;

"hazard warning" means a warning of a storm, tsunami, earthquake, flood or other natural phenomenon which could develop into a disaster;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for disaster management;

"Ministry'' means the Ministry responsible for disaster management;

"Mitigation and Prevention Committee" means the committee of that name established by section 7(c);

"national disaster" means a disaster affecting the whole of the Fiji Islands;

"National Disaster Controller" means the Permanent Secretary or Deputy Secretary;

"National Disaster Coordinator" means the person referred to in section 13;

"National Disaster Management Council" or "Council" means the body responsible for disaster management policy and operations established by section 4;

"National Disaster Management Office" means that unit within the Ministry responsible for disaster management where the day-to-day functions of the disaster management organisations are conducted;

"National Disaster Management Plan" means the Plan of that name published by the Council in January 1995 and approved by the Cabinet, or any amendment or replacement of that Plan so published and approved;

"Non-Government Organisation" means a local body in the Fiji Islands whose function is to provide, administer and distribute such material and physical assistance as may be made available from non-government sources both within the Fiji Islands and from overseas, in response to a declared disaster;

"Permanent Secretary" means the Permanent Secretary to the Minister;

"Preparedness Committee" means the committee of that name established by section 7(b);

"Standard Operating Procedures" means procedures developed by the National Disaster Co-ordinator in conjunction with Divisional Commissioners and District Officers for responding to an emergency situation and conducting an emergency operation.

Application of Act

3.-(1) This Act binds the State.

(2) The Chairman and membership of the Council shall be as specified in Schedule l.

Part 2 - ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Establishment of Council

4.-(1) There shall be established a National Disaster Management Council;

(2) The Chairman and membership of the Council shall be as specified in Schedule 1.

Functions of Council

5. Council shall -

(a) have overall responsibility for disaster management irrespective of whether there is a disaster or not;

(b) develop suitable strategies and policies for disaster mitigation and preparedness and for training, management and public education in disaster management;

(c) prepare and implement adequate rehabilitation programmes after disasters;

(d) recommend policies, strategies and alternatives to Cabinet;

(e) form sub-committee to execute specific tasks within their specific fields of competence, in addition to those mentioned in section 7.

Powers of Chairman of Council

6. The Chairman of the Council may -

(a) call for members' attendance according to disaster management needs;

(b) co-opt Divisional Commissioners and any other persons whom he considers will be of help to achieve disaster management objectives;

(c) delegate responsibility for the conduct of disaster management activities and response operations to the National Disaster Controller.

Committees of Council

7.-(1) The Council shall have 3 committees to assist the Council namely, the -

(a) Emergency Committee whose membership is as specified in Schedule 2 and which shall have the central control during emergency operations;

(b) Preparedness Committee whose membership is as specified in Schedule 3 and which shall be responsible for community awareness activities;

(c) Mitigation and Prevention Committee, whose membership is as specified in Schedule 4 and which shall initiate and co-ordinate the implementation of disaster mitigation activities.

(2) The Committees established by subsection (1) shall be guided in the performance of their functions by the National Disaster Management.

National Disaster Management Office

8.-(1) There shall be a National Disaster Management Office which shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of disaster management.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall consist of -

(a) the Director, the Principal Disaster Management Officer and the Senior Disaster Management Officer who shall be public officers appointed to those posts by the Council; and

(b) other persons appointed and employed in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act.

(3) The main functions of the National Disaster Management Office are to -

(a) implement policies laid down by the Council and Cabinet;

(b) advise the National Disaster Controller, the Council and other relevant bodies on disaster related matters;

(c) initiate formulation of policies for development of disaster management organisations and activities;

(d) arrange meetings of the Council and its sub-committees, provide Secretariat support and initiate follow-up action;

(e) deal with disaster management related issues at the national level;

(f) initiate and co-ordinate the preparation of rehabilitation plans after national disasters;

(g) review disaster preparedness arrangements and carry out post-disaster reviews;

(h) co-ordinate disaster management training and public education; and

(i) perform any other functions as directed by the National Disaster Controller.

National Emergence Operation Centre

9. There shall be a National Emergency Operation Centre which shall -

(a) co-ordinate activities of disaster monitoring, warning and immediate post-disaster response including disaster relief work;

(b) be activated when a specific threat of disaster develops or when a disaster occurs;

(c) be manned on a 24-hour basis from teams drawn from the public service and agencies when activated;

(d) carry out its functions according to the Standard Operating Procedure;

(e) obtain regular situation reports from the Divisional and District Emergency Operation Centres;

(f) co-ordinate requests for assistance during emergency situations.

Part 3 - ADMINISTRATION

National Disaster Controller

10. There shall be a National Disaster Controller and the person holding the office of Permanent Secretary shall be the National Disaster Controller.

Functions, duties and powers of the National Disaster Controller

11.-(1) The National Disaster Controller shall -

(a) advise the Minister on operational matters relating to disaster management and activities;

(b) through the Director, advice and assist agencies and Non-Government Organisations on matters relating to disaster management activities;

(c) exercise and perform such functions, duties and powers with respect to disaster matters as are conferred on him by this Act or as he is required by the Minister to perform.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) the National Disaster Controller shall be responsible for the -

(a) co-ordination of the planning and execution of disaster management measures;

(b) provision to render readily available personnel, material and services adequate for the carrying out of disaster management measures; and

(c) direction and control for the purpose of this Act of personnel, material and services available and at his disposal for disaster management measures.

(3) In the exercise of his functions, the National Disaster Controller may -

(a) during an emergency situation, co-ordinate the use of all government resources to address the emergency situation;

(b) through the Director, disseminate information and advise on matters relating to potential or actual emergency situations;

(c) through the Director, promote, carry out or cause to be carried out, the training of personnel for disaster management activities.

Delegation of functions, duties and powers

12. In the absence of the National Disaster Controller, by reason of illness, absence from the Fiji Islands or for any other reason, or in the case of a vacancy in the office of the Permanent Secretary and for so long as the absence or vacancy continues, the Deputy Secretary shall have and may exercise all the powers, authorities, duties and functions of the National Disaster Controller under this Act.

National Disaster Co-ordinator

13. There shall be a National Disaster Co-ordinator and the person holding the cost of Director shall be the National Disaster Co-ordinator.

14.-(1) The functions of the National Disaster Co-ordinator shall be to-

(a) co-ordinate, supervise and implement policies of the Council;

(b) co-ordinate the duties and functions of the National Disaster Management Office;

(c) advise the National Disaster Controller on all matters pertaining to disaster management activities;

(d) liaise with and advise Divisional Commissioner and District Officers on disaster management matters;

(e) liaise with and advise Disaster Service Liaison Officers on disaster management matters;

(f) supervise and have overall responsibility for the National Emergency Operations Centre and ensure that the Centre is at all times in a full state of readiness for an emergency operation;

(g) advise and assist agencies and Non-Government Organisations on matters relating to disaster management activities;

(h) prepare and revise a National Disaster Management Plan and National Support Plans and initiate training with respect to such plans;

(i) manage the acquisition and distribution of international assistance provided in response to an emergency situation.

(j) perform any other functions and duties as directed by the national disaster controller.

(2) In the exercise of his functions the National Disaster Co-ordinator shall have the power, under the direction of the National Disaster Controller, to -

(a) supervise and have overall responsibility for the National Emergency Operations Centre;

(b) disseminate information and advice on matter relating to potential or actual emergency situations;

(c) promote, carry out or cause to be carried out the training of personnel for disaster management activities.

(3) In the absence, for whatever reason, of the National Disaster Co-ordinator, the Principal Disaster Management Officer shall perform and exercise all the functions, duties and powers vested in the Co-ordinator by or under this Act.

Disaster Service Liaison Officer

15.-(1) A Disaster Service Liaison Officer shall be a person appointed by an agency to be the contact point between the agency and the National Disaster Management Office.

(2) The functions of a Disaster Service Liaison Officer shall be to -

(a) liaise with the National Disaster Management Office on disaster management matters for his agency;

(b) co-ordinate and implement disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention programmes for his agency; and

(c) attend disaster management meetings by the National Disaster Management Office.

Budget

16.-(1) The Ministry shall ensure that an allocation is provided within its annual budgetary estimates to finance disaster management, including preparedness, prevention, mitigation, emergency response, rehabilitation, long-term recovery and related activities, as the Council may determine.

(2) The Minister shall keep Cabinet informed on the status of allocations under subsection (1).

Part 4 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Declaration of natural disaster

17.-(1) A natural disaster in respect of the whole or part of the Fiji Islands may be declared by the Cabinet on the advice of the Council.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), if at any time the Council is dispersed or for whatever reason cannot hold a meeting, the Cabinet will be advised by the Emergency Committee.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (1) an emergency situation at the divisional or district level shall be communicated by the Divisional Commissioner to the National Disaster Controller who shall convene a meeting of the Council for a decision before advising Cabinet to declare a natural disaster.

Public declaration

18. The declaration or revoking of a natural disaster must -

(a) be announced by public broadcast on television and radio;

(b) be published in the Gazette.

Duration of declaration

19. Unless it is sooner revoked, the declaration of a natural disaster remains in force for such a period (not exceeding 30 days) as is specified in the declaration.

Operational command and co-ordination

20.-(1) The National Disaster Controller will be in overall command when an emergency operation is initiated. He will be assisted by the Divisional Commissioners and the District Officers at divisional and district levels.

(2) All government resources will be at the disposition of the National Disaster Controller during an emergency operation.

(3) All agencies are subordinate to the National Disaster Controller at their respective levels during an emergency operation.

Warning arrangement

21.-(1) Warning information relating to an emergency situation must be passed on immediately to persons who hold key decision-making responsibilities in any organisation likely to be affected by the situation.

(2) Agencies mentioned in the National Disaster Management Plan as being responsible for the issue of hazard warnings in their specific fields shall do so depending on the urgency of the situation.

(3) An agency which issues a hazard warning shall inform the National Disaster Controller immediately who will in turn convene a meeting of the Emergency Committee.

(4) All radio stations broadcasting live when a hazard warning is issued under this section shall upon receipt of a warning from the relevant agency or person immediately broadcast messages to the nation or to the areas concerned.

Operational activities at national level

22.-(1) The National Emergency Operations Centre shall be the centre for all co-ordination and command at the national level during an emergency operation.

(2) The National Disaster Controller may employ government, chartered or foreign aircraft to make an aerial survey and assessment of a disaster area.

(3) The National Disaster Controller may allocate personnel and equipment immediately to disaster areas and may ask the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to allocate military personnel for emergency tasks in such areas.

Operational activities at divisional and district levels

23. During an emergency operation -

(a) the Divisional Emergency Operations Centre shall be the centre for all disaster co-ordination and command at the divisional level;

(b) all government resources in a division will be at the disposition of the Divisional Commissioner;

(c) all agencies and persons in a division shall be subordinate to the Division Commissioner;

(d) the District Emergency Operations Centre shall be the centre for disaster operations at the district level;

(e) all government resources in a district shall come under the disposition of the District Officer;

(f) all agencies and persons in a district shall be subordinate to the District Officer.

Immunity from liability

24. A person performing a role or discharging a responsibility in accordance with the National Disaster Management Plan, Agency Support Plan or any regulations which apply during an emergency situation shall liable from injury or loss sustained by any other person, unless such loss or injury is caused by or arises from negligence or wilful default.

Part 5 - SPECIAL POWERS DURING DECLARATION OF NATURAL DISASTER

Minister responsible to inform Cabinet of necessary action

25.-(1) If a natural disaster is declared under Part 4, the Council through the Minister responsible will inform Cabinet of any action which may be necessary including the making of regulations for -

(a) the evacuation of people in their own interests, or in order to facilitate the necessary operations of the police or military personnel;

(b) the temporary acquisition or control of any property, undertaking or land;

(c) the entering and search of any premises;

(d) the supply and distribution of essential relief supplies, medical assistance, shelter and other resources;

(e) the maintenance of the means of transportation by land, sea or air and the control of the transport of persons and resources;

(f) the payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by government action or under special powers;

(g) directing the movements of persons by land, sea or air in the interests of safety;

(h) prohibiting the unjustified exploitation of a disaster for profit.

(2) Regulations under this section may prescribe penalties for contravention not exceeding $2,000 and 12 months imprisonment.

Power to direct government agencies during an emergence situation

26.-(1) The National Disaster Controller is responsible for controlling and co-ordinating the activities of government agencies and the allocation of available resources from government as he considers necessary for responding to an emergency situation.

(2) The National Disaster Controller may direct any government agencies to do or refrain from doing any act or to exercise or to refrain from exercising any function during an emergency situation.

(3) If a direction is given to a government agency under subsection (2) -

(a) the government agency must comply with the direction;

(b) the direction prevails over anything to the contrary in any Act or law.

Obstruction an offence

27.-(1) It is an offence to obstruct, hinder or in any way interfere with a person engaging in any activity as a member, officer or volunteer of an agency performing a role or discharging a responsibility in accordance with this Act, the National Disaster Management Plan, Agency Support Plans or any regulations made under section 25.

(2) A police officer may arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe is acting in breach of subsection (1).

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $1,000 and to imprisonment for 12 months.

Part 6 - RELIEF AND REHABILITATION

Relief assistance

28.-(1) The Minister through the National Disaster Controller, National Disaster Co-ordinator, Divisional Commissioners and District Officers shall be responsible for on-going relief and assistance to disaster-stricken communities.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall provide a plan of action for on-going relief assistance if requested by the Minister and the Council.

(3) The Government and recognized Non-Government Organisations shall provide disaster relief assistance during an emergency situation until the community has restored its self-reliance.

(4) The distribution of relief supplies shall be undertaken by District Officers in accordance with criteria and guidelines approved by the Minister or by the Council.

Immediate relief assistance

29.-(1) The District Officer shall be responsible for immediate relief assistance to disaster victims at designated evacuation centres in a district.

(2) The District Officer shall seek prior approval for distribution of immediate relief assistance from his Divisional Commissioner.

(3) The Minster shall be advised by the National Disaster Controller of the immediate relief assistance situation before convening a meeting of the Council.

Specific responsibilities in relation to urgent need

30.-(1) The Public Works Department shall be responsible for provision of access to safe water, emergency water supply operation, distribution of containers and other related matters during and for as long as required after an emergency situation.

(2) The Health Department shall take appropriate measures to ensure that environmental conditions created by an emergency situation do not give rise to increased health risks during the situation.

(3) The departments mentioned in this section shall work closely with the District Officer in relation to their responsibilities in a district.

On-going relief assistance

31.-(1) Based on reports prepared by the National Disaster Management office, the Emergency Committee will decide on a strategy for on-going relief assistance during an emergency situation.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office, through the Divisional Commissioners and District Officers, shall co-ordinate and implement disaster relief assistance requires in divisions and districts after an emergency operation.

(3) Disaster relief assistance under this section should not in any way reduce or slow down communal and individual activities to regain self-reliance.

Request for international assistance

32.-(1) The National Disaster Controller may request the Minister of Foreign Affairs to call for foreign assistance in an emergency situation and the Controller and the Emergency Committee shall co-ordinate all foreign assistance provided as a result.

(2) Non-Government Organisations may also request international assistance from their respective international organisations.

Role of Non-Government Organisation

33. Disaster relief assistance provided by Non-Government Organisations in district shall be co-ordinated by the District Officer to avoid overlap and duplication.

Rehabilitation

34.-(1) After an emergency operation is over, the National Disaster Management Office will prepare a comprehensive disaster rehabilitation plan.

(2) Based on the final report on an emergency operation, the National Disaster Management Office will commence rehabilitation consultation with relevant agencies and compile a report to be presented to the National Disaster Management Council within 3 months.

(3) Disaster Service Liaison Officers of relevant agencies shall contribute to the rehabilitation plan as regards their agencies' rehabilitation needs and resources.

(4) The National Disaster Controller will co-ordinate rehabilitation efforts and activities through relevant agencies.

Rehabilitation programme

35.-(1) The Council, through the National Disaster Controller and the National Disaster Management Office, will be responsible for disaster rehabilitation programmes.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall hold consultations with all Divisional and District Officers and Disaster Service Liaison Officers of all agencies when identifying areas for rehabilitation planning.

Specific rehabilitation programme areas

36.-(1) The Ministry of Agriculture will be responsible for the rehabilitation of agricultural crops and livestock.

(2) The Ministry responsible for the rural housing programme will be responsible for the rehabilitation of urban and rural housing.

(3) The Ministry of Education will be responsible for reconstruction programmes for public and committee-run schools.

(4) The Ministry of Health will be responsible for the reconstruction and re-establishment of public health facilities.

(5) The Public Works Department will be responsible for the rehabilitation of infrastructure, including roads, Government buildings and bridges.

(6) The Public Works Department, in consultation with the Ministry responsible for disaster management, will be responsible for the rehabilitation of urban and rural water supply systems.

International assistance for disaster rehabilitation

37.-(1) The Chairman of the Council, after consultation with the Council, shall advise the Cabinet of the funding requirement from overseas aid needed to cover the cost of disaster relief and rehabilitation if it is established that it is beyond the national capabilities to cope or if for any other cause he thinks fit to do so.

(2) Briefings of donors who respond to a request under subsection (1) shall be done by the National Disaster Controller in liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Post-disaster review

38.-(1) The National Disaster Management Office shall carry out a post-disaster review within 6 months after an emergency situation has ended.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall have free access to all information held by government departments and may request from other agencies and persons any information it deems necessary to review an emergency situation and the response to it.

(3) A report of a review under subsection (1) will be submitted to the Council for further action.

Part 7 - MITIGATION, PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING

Disaster mitigation and prevention

39.-(1) The Council, through the Mitigation and Prevention Committee, shall formulate policies for disaster mitigation and prevention.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall in consultation with other government departments and agencies, co-ordinate and implement disaster mitigation and prevention policies formulated wilder subsection (1).

(3) The assessment of the threat of natural disaster shall be carried out by the following departments of government -

(a) the Mineral Resources Department assessment of earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides;

(b) the Drainage and Irrigation Department - assessment of coastal riverine flooding;

(c) the Ministry responsible for the rural housing programme - implementing cyclone resistant rural housing programmes;

(d) the Ministry of Agriculture - implementing programmes to reduce the vulnerability of agricultural commodities;

(e) the Ministry of Agriculture in liaison with the Public Works Department - flood control and water-shed management programmes.

Disaster preparedness and awareness

40.-(1) The Preparedness Committee shall be responsible for planning, promoting and implementing disaster preparedness activities and programmes.

(2) The Divisional Commissioners and District Officers are responsible for implementing and co-ordinating disaster preparedness activities in their areas in liaison with the National Disaster Management Office.

(3) The Roko Tuis and District Advisory Councillors through their established organisational structures, are responsible for implementing and co-ordination of disaster preparedness activities at settlements and villages.

Public awareness

41.-(1) The Preparedness Committee shall be responsible for planning public awareness activities in respect of natural disasters.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall be responsible for implementing, organising and co-ordinating public awareness activities planned under subsection (1).

(3) The Preparedness Committee, with the support of the National Disaster Management Office, shall conduct annually a National Disaster Awareness Week prior to the beginning of the cyclone season.

Disaster training

42.-(1) The National Disaster Management Office shall implement disaster training programmes for public officers and may provide such programmes for all members of the public.

(2) The National Disaster Management Office shall ensure that training programmes implemented under subsection (1) are in accordance with the National Disaster Management Plan.

Regulations

43. The Minister may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act.

Saving for state of emergency

44. Nothing in this Act affects the power of the President to proclaim a state of emergency in accordance with the Constitution.

__________

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1
(Section 4(2))

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL

1. The Minister responsible for disaster management activities shall be the Chairman of the Council.

2. The members of the Council shall be the -

(a) Permanent Secretary responsible for disaster management activities who shall be Deputy Chairman

(b) Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs

(c) Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs

(d) Secretary to Public Service

(e) Permanent Secretary for Fijian Affairs

(f) Permanent Secretary for Finance

(g) Permanent Secretary for Agriculture

(h) Permanent Secretary for Public Works

(i) Permanent Secretary for Health

(j) Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office

(k) Permanent Secretary for Information

(l) Permanent Secretary for Women & Culture

(m) Permanent Secretary for Education

(n) Permanent Secretary for Lands

(o) Permanent Secretary for Urban Development

(p) Commander, Fiji Military Forces

(q) Commissioner of Police

(r) Controller of Government Supplies

(s) Director of Meteorology

(t) Managing Director, Telecom Fiji Ltd.

(u) Chief Executive, Fiji Electricity Authority

(v) Director-General, Fiji Red Cross Society

(w) Director, Fiji Council of Social Services

(x) Chief Executive, National Fire Authority

________

SCHEDULE 2
(Section 7(1)(a))

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

The members of the Committee shall be the -

(a) Permanent Secretary responsible for disaster management activities who shall be Chairman

(b) Permanent Secretary for Agriculture

(c) Permanent Secretary for Health

(d) Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs

(e) Permanent Secretary for Public Works

(f) Permanent Secretary for Transport

(g) Permanent Secretary for Fijian Affairs

(h) Permanent Secretary for Finance

(i) Commissioner, Fiji Police Force

(j) Commander, Fiji Military Forces

(k) Controller of Government Supplies

(l) Director, Fiji Council of Social Services

(m) Director-General, Fiji Red Cross Society

_________

SCHEDULE 4
(Section 7(1)(c))

(a) Permanent Secretary responsible for disaster management activities who shall be Chairman

(b) Permanent Secretary for Fijian Affairs

(c) Permanent Secretary for Lands

(d) Permanent Secretary for Agriculture

(e) Permanent Secretary for Health

(f) Permanent Secretary for Housing and Urban Development

(g) Permanent Secretary for Public Works

(h) Permanent Secretary for Finance

(i) Managing Director, Telecom Fiji Ltd.

(j) Chief Executive, Fiji Electricity Authority

(k) Chief Executive, National Fire Authority

Passed by the House of Representatives this Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight

Passed by the Senate this Third day of June, the year of our Lord One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight.

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