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 takes over from Pita Wise, who resigned for personal reasons last week.
Mr. Rokovada confirmed this change following a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Government Buildings in Suva. He noted that Dr. Taga would be transitioning with the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for two weeks before officially starting her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
During this interim period, Parmesh Chand, the PS for Civil Service, will assume the acting position for two weeks. Dr. Taga is a graduate of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific. She earned a Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in 2010 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering in 2016. In 2023, she was recognized as the University of Queensland International Alumnus of the Year for her contributions to Pacific Island development, sustainability, gender equality, and work with Indigenous communities.
Dr. Taga has been with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources since June 2020 and has a total of 31 years of service with the Ministry. Hailing from Beqa, she has been praised by Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, who highlighted her role as an inspiration for young girls in rural communities. Her academic achievements are particularly significant as she has succeeded in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Dr. Taga was instrumental in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate the ban on women working in underground mines, with the bill passing on International Women’s Day, marking a milestone for women in the workforce. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ in the Public Sector in 2018.