Tevita Boseiwaqa has been identified as the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji, serving as the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the Suva City Council. Salary disclosures shared in Parliament by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, reveal that Mr. Boseiwaqa earns an annual salary of $159,386. This figure has been determined by the Higher Salaries Commission.
The announcement was part of a broader update concerning the salaries of acting CEOs across Fiji’s municipal councils, prompted by parliamentary inquiries. As it stands, Suva City Council, alongside Nasinu Town Council and Tavua Town Council, is now managed by special administrators who are acting as CEOs.
The report specifies that the salaries for these acting CEO positions are calculated by adding 95% of the difference between the Special Administrator’s salary and the standard CEO’s base salary. Felix Magnus, acting CEO of Nasinu Town Council, earns an annual salary of $79,549.80, while Sireli Korovulavula, the acting CEO of Tavua Town Council, is currently receiving a $12,000 annual allowance, which is awaiting approval from the Higher Salaries Commission for a full salary.
Combined, these three councils are spending $183,055.66 on acting CEO salaries, with an additional $26,252 allocated for allowances related to official vehicles, mobile phones, internet, and travel for work duties. Minister Nalumisa further clarified that no new positions for executive chairs have been approved by the ministry within municipal council structures.
This situation highlights a significant focus on municipal leadership and financial management in Fiji, indicating the government’s commitment to transparency. The salary disclosure promotes accountability and ensures that municipal leaders are held to appropriate standards of compensation. As the councils navigate their current leadership structures, the hope is that this period of transition will ultimately lead to renewed stability and enhanced governance within the communities they serve.
Summary: Tevita Boseiwaqa is the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji with an annual salary of $159,386, as revealed by the Minister for Local Government. He serves as the acting CEO of Suva City Council, while acting CEOs of other councils earn significantly less. The total expenditure on these salaries and allowances amounts to $209,307.66, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in municipal governance.
Leave a comment