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. Taga takes over from Pita Wise, who resigned last week for personal reasons.
Rokovada confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Government Buildings in Suva. He noted that Dr. Taga would be transitioning with the new PS Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for a period of two weeks. After that, Taga will officially start her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the interim, Parmesh Chand, the PS for Civil Service, is acting in the position for those two weeks. Dr. Taga, a graduate of Dudley High School, also attended the University of the South Pacific (USP). She earned a Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in Australia in 2010, followed by a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering in 2016.
In 2023, she was recognized as the International Alumnus of the Year by the University of Queensland for her outstanding work in Pacific Island development, sustainability, gender equality, environmental health, and efforts with Indigenous communities.
Since June 2020, Dr. Taga has served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, accumulating over 31 years of service in the ministry. She hails from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo praised Taga’s accomplishments. He highlighted that her achievements serve as an inspiration for young girls in village communities. He remarked that attaining a doctorate in a traditionally male-dominated sector underscores her exceptional skill in her field.
Dr. Taga was instrumental in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate Section 88, which restricted the employment of women in underground mines. This legislation, which passed on International Women’s Day, marked a significant milestone for women in the workforce. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.