Public Service Commission Chair Luke Rokovada has announced the appointment of Raijeli Taga as the new acting Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. Taga fills the position left vacant by Pita Wise, who resigned voluntarily last week for personal reasons.
The confirmation came after a meeting between Rokovada and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Government Buildings in Suva. Rokovada mentioned that Dr. Taga is currently transitioning with the new Permanent Secretary for Lands, Paula Cirikiyasawa, for a duration of two weeks before officially starting 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 as well.
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, 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 engagement with Indigenous communities.
Since June 2020, Dr. Taga has served as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, where she has dedicated over 31 years of her career. She hails from Beqa.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, praised Dr. Taga’s accomplishments, stating that she serves as an inspiration to young girls in rural areas. He highlighted her achievements in a male-dominated field as being particularly noteworthy, especially her role in leading the reform of the Fiji Employment Relations Act to eliminate a provision that banned women from working in underground mines. This legislative change, which coincided with International Women’s Day, was a significant milestone for women’s rights in the country. For her contributions, she received the Women in Business ‘Executive Woman of the Year Award’ for the Public Sector in 2018.