Tevita Boseiwaqa has been identified as the highest-paid municipal leader in Fiji, serving as the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Suva City Council. This information was disclosed during a parliamentary session by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa. Mr. Boseiwaqa earns an annual salary of $159,386, a figure set by the Higher Salaries Commission.
This announcement was part of a broader update on the salaries of acting CEOs in various municipal councils across Fiji, prompted by a written inquiry in Parliament. Currently, the Suva City Council, along with Nasinu Town Council and Tavua Town Council, is managed by special administrators acting temporarily as CEOs.
The report detailed the salary structure, explaining that the acting CEOs’ salaries were computed by adding 95 percent of the difference between the salaries of the Special Administrator and the base salary for the CEO position. In comparison, Felix Magnus, the acting CEO for Nasinu Town Council, has an annual salary of $79,549.80, while Sireli Korovulavula from Tavua Town Council is on an annual allowance of $12,000, awaiting full salary approval from the Higher Salaries Commission.
In total, salaries for the acting CEOs across these three councils amount to $183,055.66. An additional $26,252 is allocated specifically for allowances related to official vehicles, mobile phones, internet, and travel expenses for official duties.
Mr. Nalumisa also clarified that the executive chair positions referenced in prior discussions have not been established, as the ministry does not sanction new roles within municipal council structures.
This financial transparency is important as it sheds light on local government operations and highlights the commitment to ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. The officials’ salaries, while seemingly high, reflect the responsibilities these leaders have in managing municipal services during a time of transition.
This development reinforces the government’s focus on accountability and governance in local councils, illustrating a positive step towards enhanced management and productivity in municipal leadership.
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