Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer of Suva City Council, is currently the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji, earning an annual salary of $159,386. This information was disclosed by the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa, in response to inquiries from Opposition MP Premila Kumar regarding the salaries, appointment dates, and expenditures related to council executive chairpersons and special administrators across the country’s 13 municipal councils.
In addition to Boseiwaqa, other notable salaries include those of Felix Magnus, the acting CEO of Nasinu Town Council, who makes $79,549.80 annually, and Sireli Korovulavula of Tavua Town Council, who is temporarily on a $12,000 per annum special administrator allowance due to pending approval from the Higher Salaries Commission for a full salary.
The report highlighted the differences in compensation, noting that allowances and salaries for acting CEOs are distinct from those of special administrators. For instance, Boseiwaqa received a salary of $92,305.66 plus $6,305 in allowances, while Magnus received $90,750 in salary and a significantly higher allowance of $19,538. Korovulavula, in contrast, had no salary yet received minimal allowances amounting to $409.
Minister Nalumisa emphasized that these special administrator appointments, made in December 2023, followed a rigorous merit-based selection process aimed at securing individuals knowledgeable about community needs. The salaries and allowances are set by the Higher Salaries Commission, taking into account the size of the councils.
The ongoing interim arrangement for acting CEOs will conclude once the councils successfully recruit qualified candidates to fill the positions permanently. To facilitate this recruitment, KPMG Advisory (Fiji) Pte Ltd has been engaged as the recruitment agency, ensuring an independent and transparent process. The recruitment efforts are expected to begin this month and be completed by early 2025.
This initiative reflects a commitment to strengthening local governance in Fiji through proper oversight and hiring practices, aiming for efficient leadership that meets the needs of the communities served.
In summary, while the salary differences among the acting CEOs draw attention, the commitment to a merit-based recruitment process indicates a positive step towards enhancing local government leadership in Fiji.
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