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. Taga succeeds Pita Wise, who resigned last week for personal reasons.
This confirmation came after a meeting between Rokovada and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Government Buildings in Suva. Rokovada stated that Dr. Taga is currently transitioning from her role alongside the new Permanent Secretary of Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for a two-week period. Following this transition, Dr. Taga will assume her position at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Additionally, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, is temporarily filling the position for the next two weeks.
Dr. Taga, an alumna of both Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific, earned her Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in 2010 and later obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering in 2016. In recognition of her contributions to Pacific Island development and sustainability, she was honored as the University of Queensland’s International Alumnus of the Year in 2023.
With over 31 years at the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Dr. Taga became Permanent Secretary in June 2020. Hailing from Beqa, she has been recognized for her leadership, particularly in advocating for gender equality in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, praised Dr. Taga’s achievements, noting her influence as a role model for young women in rural communities. Her efforts in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate the prohibition on women’s employment in underground mines were acknowledged as a significant milestone, especially since the legislation was passed on International Women’s Day. For her contributions in the public sector, she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ in 2018.