Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Suva City Council, has emerged as the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji, as disclosed in a report presented in Parliament by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa. Mr. Boseiwaqa’s annual remuneration amounts to $159,386, a figure determined by the Higher Salaries Commission.
This disclosure was part of an overview of the salaries of acting CEOs across different municipal councils in Fiji, prompted by a written inquiry in Parliament. Currently, Suva City Council, along with Nasinu Town Council and Tavua Town Council, is being managed by special administrators who are serving as acting CEOs.
The methodology for calculating salaries for these acting CEOs involves taking 95% of the difference between the Special Administrator’s salary and the CEO’s base salary. The acting CEO for Nasinu Town Council, Felix Magnus, earns an annual salary of $79,549.80, while Sireli Korovulavula, the acting CEO of Tavua Town Council, is receiving a temporary allowance of $12,000 pending full salary approval from the Higher Salaries Commission.
In total, the financial expenditure on the salaries of acting CEOs across the three councils amounts to $183,055.66. Additionally, there is an allocation of $26,252 designated for allowances that cover expenses related to official vehicles, mobile phones, internet, and travel required for official duties.
Minister Nalumisa also reaffirmed that the positions of executive chairs, which were referenced in prior discussions, have not been established, as the ministry does not endorse the creation of new roles within municipal council frameworks.
This development highlights the financial accountability of municipal leaders and the structured approach to salary determination within Fiji’s local government. The transparency in these disclosures is a positive stride towards fostering trust in public governance.
Overall, the salaries of municipal leaders are now subject to scrutiny, which could lead to improvements in financial management and representation within local councils, ensuring that taxpayers can express their views and influence future decision-making.
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