Luke Rokovada, chairperson of the Public Service Commission, has announced the appointment of Raijeli Taga as the new acting Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. She takes over from Pita Wise, who resigned last week for personal reasons.
Rokovada confirmed the appointment after meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Government Buildings in Suva. He noted that Dr. Taga will transition with the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for two weeks before starting her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
During this transition period, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, will temporarily fill the position.
Dr. Taga is a graduate of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific. She earned her Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in 2010 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering in 2016. In 2023, she was named the University of Queensland International Alumnus of the Year for her significant contributions to Pacific Island development, sustainability, gender equality, environmental health, and collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Since June 2020, Dr. Taga has served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, dedicating 31 years to the Ministry. She hails from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, praised Dr. Taga’s achievements, highlighting her role as an inspiration for young girls in rural areas. Her attainment of a doctorate signifies her excellence in a traditionally male-dominated field. Notably, she played a pivotal role in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate Section 88, which barred women from working in underground mines. This bill, which passed on International Women’s Day, marked a significant milestone for women, leading to her recognition as the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year’ in the Public Sector in 2018.