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. Taga succeeds Pita Wise, who resigned last week for personal reasons.
Mr. Rokovada confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Government Buildings in Suva. He mentioned that Dr. Taga will be transitioning with the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for two weeks before assuming her role at the Office of the Prime Minister.
During this interim period, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, will act in the position for two weeks. Dr. Taga, a graduate 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 2010 and later completed her 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, and gender equality.
Dr. Taga has served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources since June 2020, after dedicating 31 years to the Ministry. She is originally from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo praised Dr. Taga for her accomplishments, saying she serves as an inspiration for young girls in rural areas. He highlighted her achievements in a traditionally male-dominated field and noted her leadership in reforming the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate Section 88, which barred women from working in underground mines. This bill was passed on International Women’s Day, marking a significant victory for women’s rights, leading to Dr. Taga receiving the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.