Civil Engineering Department 

The Civil Engineering Department (CED) is mandatory to provide planning and management, engineering investigation and recommendation, and inspection and monitoring of civil infrastructures both on air, land and marine, except buildings.

 The CED consists of about 50 permanent staffs stationed at two different sites. One unit at the MISE headquarters sitting up to five employees including engineers and inspectors. The other sites are located at the Civil Yard office holding up 46 employees to cover construction, maintenance, and mechanic works. 

The CED is currently managing and implementing a number of ongoing civil engineering projects in line with Government’s manifesto and the Kiribati Development Plan (KDP) for the next four years and paved the infrastructure to meet Kiribati Vision in 20 years’ time (KV20). These projects include the following;

• Outer island Road Upgrading Project funded by the Government targeting the first four outer islands with approximately 73 km of paved roads. The first islands include Butaritari, Abemama, Tab North and Nikunau. The existing road to Outer Islands is to be upgraded using geocell concrete surface, and airfield runway is to be sealed with rigid pavement.
• KOITIIP is World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project to improve maritime infrastructures targeting four islands including Tab South, Nonouti, Beru and Abaiang.
• The upgrading to the S.Tarawa feeder roads targets 6 km of road from Anraei to Tanaea, Buota, Tekawai ae Boou and Temaiku loop road.
• On-going maintenance to existing civil infrastructures such as seawalls, roads and causeways both in the rural and urban areas are part of the CED work plans.
• Ongoing services on MISE flee machines in addition to procuring more machines.

To be efficient in the implementation of the construction and maintenance role, the CED owns, operates and maintains a fleet of heavy vehicles, plants and equipment.

Corporate Services Department

The Corporate Services Department is headed by the Secretary, will be responsible for policy development and planning, discipline, execution, and oversight of the sub-divisional levels of Finance & Accounting, Administration, Human Resource, Research, Project Planning, and Information and Communication. 

The Department is also responsible for the management of activities related to the oversight and supervision of MISE Technical Divisions through or by way of the Director General, and SOEs that are under the purview of the MISE.

Energy Planning Department 

Under the new Energy Act 2022, the Energy Planning Division (EPD) is now responsible for (1) the performance of monitoring, supervisory, and regulatory functions to ensure the implementation of energy sector policies and (2) to provide independent oversight, regulation, monitoring of compliance and enforcement in respect of industry participants and the energy sector to ensure compliance with the required standards set out under the subsidiary legislations. 

EPD has been restructured to align its workforce with its new functions under the Energy Act and now composed of five Units, known as the (1) Policy and Planning Unit, (2) Electricity Unit, (3) Renewable Energy (RE) Unit, (4) Energy Efficiency (EE) Unit and (5) Petroleum Unit. Currently, there are 13 positions within EPD with 2 new (reserved without provision) positions established and reflected in the Establishment Register (ER) 2024 with an aim to put these with provision for ER 2025. So EPD is expected to have 15 staff in total by 2025.

EPD works closely with the Public Utilities Board (PUB), the Kiribati Green Energy Solutions (KGES), and the Kiribati Oil Company (KOIL) which are the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) under the portfolio of MISE, as well as the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Developments (MLPID) and the private sector to ensure the implementation of respective obligations specified in the Energy Act. 

EPD is also responsible to implement the achievement of the energy targets and goals at the national, regional and international level. Such targets include:

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7 by 2030
2. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by 2025
3. Kiribati Fossil Fuel use reduction targets by 2025
   1. South Tarawa 45% (23% RE, 22% EE)
   2. Kiritimati 60% (40% RE, 20% EE)
   3. Outer Islands

                                > 60% RE for public infrastructures

                                 100% RE for public and private institutions

In close collaboration with the mentioned key energy stakeholders, is committed to implement the achievement of the above targets through the achievement of the goal and objectives of this Ministry Strategic Plan specifically to the Energy Sector. 

Energy Planning Department Structure

Overview

The Water and Sanitation Engineering Division (WSED) is mandated to ensure that the people of Kiribati have reliable access to safe and sufficient water supplies and improved sanitation facilities and practices.

Main Goal: 

“To increase inclusive and sustainable access to potable water and safe sanitation systems through risk-informed and climate-resilient innovations.”

Key Responsibilities

WSED oversees, coordinates, and implements various water and sanitation projects across Kiribati, with support from multiple development partners. The Department ensures that all programs align with national goals for sustainable water management, climate resilience, and community well-being.

Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

Water Scarcity Project - Focuses on developing an Asset Management Plan, improving solar water reticulation systems, and maintaining desalination plants across the outer islands.

WASH from the Start - Aims to support surveying, monitoring, and planning for the repair and rehabilitation of WASH facilities, particularly in healthcare centres and schools. The project also promotes WASH awareness at both community and institutional levels.

South Tarawa Sanitation Project (STSP) - Works to expand access to the existing 3Bs (Bik. Bai. Bet) sewage infrastructure, improve fecal sludge management, and strengthen operation and maintenance (O&M) of sanitation systems, including saltwater supply and sewerage networks. In addition, the project also focuses on improving sanitation on four villages on South Tarawa, namely Nanikaai, Teaoraereke West, Abarao and Ananau Causeway, through construction of household and communal onsite sanitation facilities. The primary objective of the project is to scale up access to safely managed sanitation to the people on South Tarawa and to strengthen the institutional capacity of MISE and PUB as service providers.

South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) - Focuses on the construction of two desalination plants (Betio and McKenzie), the procurement of a water distribution network, and water management services. The project also incorporates Water Awareness Programs, Sanitation Pilots, and Water Reserve Management initiatives. The project aims to provide potable water to South Tarawa and Betio, from the Betio and McKenzie desalination plants, on a 24/7 basis.

Governance for Resilience Project -  Scope of works for this project is on the  two islands which are North Tarawa and Banaba which focused on the maintenance and operation of existing rainwater harvesting systems through risk informed decision approach. The project aims to improve the existing rainwater harvesting systems in providing potable water to the local community on North Tarawa and Banaba. https://www.undp.org/pacific/gov4res

Contact Information:

📞 Phone: 74026192 / 63030120

📠 Extension: 214 / 215

✉️ Email: wsed@mise.gov.ki

WSED Team

Architectural & Building Engineering Department

The Ministry of Infrastructure provides a range of technical support services to the public in the of building designs, building permits, advice on a variety of technical issues relating to water, sanitation, electricity, and energy and much more. Below offers some of the other technical issues and description of the duties and functions of the Division.