Public Service Commission chairperson Luke Rokovada has announced the appointment of Raijeli Taga as the acting Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. She takes over from Pita Wise, who resigned 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 that Dr. Taga is currently transitioning with the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for two weeks before she begins her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the interim, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, is filling in the position for that duration.
Dr. Taga, an alumnus of Dudley High School and the University of the South Pacific, earned her Master of Philosophy in Medical Science from the University of Queensland in Australia in 2010, followed by 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 outstanding contributions to Pacific Island development, sustainability, gender equality, environmental health, and work with Indigenous communities.
Dr. Taga became the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources in June 2020 and has committed 31 years to the Ministry. Hailing from Beqa, she has been praised for her accomplishments, particularly by Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo, who highlighted her role as an inspiration for young girls in her community.
Dr. Taga played a pivotal part in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate Section 88, which barred women from working in underground mines. This significant change, which passed on International Women’s Day, marked a major milestone for women’s rights and earned her the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.