Tevita Boseiwaqa, currently serving as the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Suva City Council, has been identified as the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji. This information was disclosed in Parliament by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, during a review of salaries among acting CEOs from various councils.

Mr. Boseiwaqa’s annual salary is set at $159,386, a figure established by the Higher Salaries Commission. The announcement came as part of a broader update regarding the remuneration of acting CEOs from multiple municipal councils, which was prompted by a written inquiry in Parliament.

At present, the Suva City Council, along with Nasinu Town Council and Tavua Town Council, is under the management of special administrators who are temporarily serving as acting CEOs. The methodology for determining acting CEOs’ salaries includes a calculation that adds 95 percent of the gap between the Special Administrator’s salary and the base salary for the CEO.

According to the information shared, Felix Magnus, the acting CEO for Nasinu Town Council, earns an annual salary of $79,549.80. Meanwhile, Sireli Korovulavula, acting CEO of Tavua Town Council, is currently receiving a $12,000 annual allowance while awaiting full salary approval from the Higher Salaries Commission.

In total, the combined expenditure on acting CEO salaries across the three councils amounts to $183,055.66. Additionally, there is an allocation of $26,252 for allowances intended to cover official vehicles, mobile phones, internet, and travel related to official duties.

Minister Nalumisa further addressed questions regarding the positions of executive chairs, clarifying that such roles have not been established, as the ministry does not sanction new positions within the municipal council frameworks.

This revelation highlights the ongoing developments in local governance and the importance of transparency regarding public salaries. The financial oversight introduced could lead to enhanced accountability and further discussions about the structure and compensation within municipal councils moving forward.

In summary, the disclosure of acting municipal leaders’ salaries not only sheds light on the current state of local governance in Fiji but also encourages public engagement in dialogue about resource allocation and leadership roles within these councils. This transparency may serve as a positive step towards more efficient and effective municipal management.