Public Service Commission chairperson Luke Rokovada 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 voluntarily last week for personal reasons.
Mr. Rokovada confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Government Buildings in Suva. He stated, “Dr. Taga is currently transitioning with new PS Lands Paula Cirikiyasawa for two weeks. After that, she will begin her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.”
In the interim, the PS for Civil Service, Parmesh Chand, will act in the position for the next two weeks. Dr. Taga, a graduate of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific (USP), holds a Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland, Australia, obtained in 2010, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering completed in 2016.
In recognition of her contributions to Pacific Island development, sustainability, and gender equality, Dr. Taga was honored as the University of Queensland International Alumnus of the Year in 2023. She has dedicated 31 years of service to the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, where she was appointed Permanent Secretary in June 2020. Dr. Taga hails from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo praised Ms. Taga for being an inspiration to young girls in her community. He noted her achievements in a traditionally male-dominated field, highlighting her leadership in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate Section 88, which prohibited the employment of women in underground mines. This bill, passed on International Women’s Day, is considered a milestone for women’s rights, and she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.