Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the Suva City Council, has been identified as the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji, as revealed in salary disclosures by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa. Mr. Boseiwaqa’s annual salary is set at $159,386, a figure established by the Higher Salaries Commission.
This revelation surfaced as part of an update concerning the salaries of acting CEOs across various municipal councils in Fiji, prompted by a written inquiry in Parliament. The Suva City Council, along with the Nasinu Town Council and Tavua Town Council, is currently under the management of special administrators, who are temporarily functioning as acting CEOs.
The report detailed that the salaries for acting CEOs in these councils are determined by calculating 95% of the difference between the Special Administrator’s salary and the CEO’s base salary. According to the update, Felix Magnus, the acting CEO of Nasinu Town Council, earns an annual salary of $79,549.80, while Sireli Korovulavula, the acting CEO of Tavua Town Council, is on a $12,000 annual allowance as he awaits approval from the Higher Salaries Commission for his complete salary.
Collectively, the three councils are spending $183,055.66 on the salaries of acting CEOs, along with an additional $26,252 allocated for allowances related to official vehicles, mobile phones, internet, and travel for official duties. Mr. Nalumisa also clarified that executive chair positions, which were mentioned in previous queries, have not been established, as the ministry does not sanction new roles within municipal council frameworks.
This situation underlines the efforts of the government to maintain transparency regarding municipal salaries and the management of local councils. As Fiji navigates its way towards effective governance, this transparency can serve to build public trust and encourage further improvements in local administration.
In summary, the acting CEO of Suva City Council, Tevita Boseiwaqa, earns the highest salary among municipal leaders in Fiji, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparent salary structures in local governance.
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