The Government should avoid appointing permanent secretaries and CEOs to multiple boards if they are unable to effectively manage their own ministries or companies. This statement was made by Opposition Member Premila Kumar during a parliamentary debate on the ‘Review Report of Assets Fiji Pte Ltd Annual Report 2016–2019’ on Tuesday.
Kumar stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public assets. She pointed out the shortcomings of the chair of Asset Fiji Ltd, a former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, who failed to respond to the committee’s request for a public meeting. Kumar described such behavior as “unacceptable” and a “disservice to the people of Fiji.”
She reiterated her call from the last parliamentary session, urging an end to the appointment of permanent secretaries and CEOs to multiple boards if they have not been managing their own responsibilities effectively or are too busy to participate in essential meetings. Currently, Asset Fiji Ltd manages assets valued at $57 million, and Kumar emphasized the need for effective management of public assets to generate revenue for the government.