The Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered Atelaite Rokosuka, the permanent secretary for Fisheries and Forestry, to return to her duties on Friday, December 19. This decision was made during a session on December 12, presided over by chairman Anare Tuilevuka, alongside members Deepika Prakash and Jeremaia Savou.
The tribunal addressed two allegations of misconduct against Ms. Rokosuka, stating that she neglected to follow legal advice from the Solicitor-General’s office and failed to adequately consult relevant ministries and departments before entering into an agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy (Fiji) Pte Ltd on behalf of the Fijian government in November 2023. Additionally, she was accused of not complying with the Procurement Regulation (PR) 2010, which requires adherence to due process in executing government agreements.
On September 19, the tribunal had previously determined that the ministry had sufficiently proven both allegations. The ruling suggested that the Public Service Commission (PSC) should formally reprimand Ms. Rokosuka, emphasizing that her misconduct needed to be publicly denounced.
The tribunal considered several factors in their decision, including the fact that this was Ms. Rokosuka’s first disciplinary issue in her 29 years of service, with no financial loss to the government cited. It was noted that she had not received any salary since October 2024. The tribunal stated, “Ms. Rokosuka has consistently submitted that the agreement in question was not final and that the issue remained to be resolved.” This reasoning, along with the PSC’s failure to quantify any potential loss to the government, contributed to a recommendation for mitigation.
Furthermore, the tribunal directed that Ms. Rokosuka’s withheld salary from her suspension, which lasted until December 12, be fully forfeited, and any subsequent salary calculations should commence from December 15.
This ruling marks a significant moment for Ms. Rokosuka, who has had a long and unblemished career in public service. The tribunal’s recognition of her past service and the lack of financial repercussions for the government could suggest a path toward resolution and continuity in her professional life.
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