Luke Rokovada, the 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 recently resigned for 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 the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for a period of two weeks. After this transition, Taga will officially begin her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the interim, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, will act in the position for two weeks. Dr. Taga, who hails from Beqa, is a distinguished alumna of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific (USP). She earned her Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in 2010, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering 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, and gender equality.
Dr. Taga became the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources in June 2020, accumulating over 31 years of service in the ministry. Filimoni Vosarogo, the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, praised Taga for being an inspiring role model for young girls, highlighting her significant achievements in a traditionally male-dominated field. Taga played a pivotal role in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act, successfully advocating for the removal of Section 88, which formerly barred women from working in underground mines. This legislation was passed on International Women’s Day, marking a significant milestone for women’s rights. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ in the Public Sector in 2018.