Luke Rokovada, chairperson of the Public Service Commission, has announced the appointment of Raijeli Taga as the new acting Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister. Taga takes over from Pita Wise, who voluntarily resigned last week due to personal reasons.
Rokovada confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Government Buildings in Suva. He mentioned that Dr. Taga is currently transitioning with new PS Lands Paula Cirikiyasawa for a two-week period before officially starting her role.
For the interim, Parmesh Chand, the PS for Civil Service, will act in the position for these two weeks. Dr. Taga, an alumna of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific, holds a Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland, Australia, earned in 2010, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering, which she completed in 2016. In 2023, she was honored as the University of Queensland International Alumnus of the Year for her outstanding contributions to Pacific Island development, sustainability, gender equality, environmental health, and work with Indigenous communities.
Dr. Taga served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources since June 2020 and has dedicated 31 years to the Ministry. She hails from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, praised Taga’s achievements, highlighting her significance as a role model for young girls in the village. He noted her exceptional accomplishment in a traditionally male-dominated field, reflecting her success in gaining a doctorate.
Notably, Ms. Taga led efforts to reform the Fiji Employment Relations Act, which resulted in the removal of Section 88 that prohibited women’s employment in underground mines. The bill’s passage on International Women’s Day marked a significant milestone for women, and Taga was awarded the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.