The government is being urged to avoid appointing permanent secretaries and CEOs to multiple boards when they have struggled to manage their own ministries or organizations. This statement came from 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 necessity for transparency and accountability in public asset management. She pointed out the failures of the chair of Asset Fiji Ltd, a former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, who did not attend or respond to the committee’s request for a public meeting. She criticized this behavior as “unacceptable” and detrimental to the citizens of Fiji.
Kumar reiterated her call to discontinue the practice of appointing leaders who have previously failed in their roles to multiple boards, especially if they are too occupied to participate in vital meetings. She mentioned that Asset Fiji Ltd currently manages assets valued at $57 million and emphasized the need for effective management of these assets to help generate revenue for the government.