Tevita Boseiwaqa, currently serving as the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Suva City Council, has been identified as the top-earning municipal leader in Fiji, with an annual salary of $159,386. This figure was disclosed by the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, during a parliamentary update regarding the salaries of acting CEOs across various councils in the country.
The salary of Mr. Boseiwaqa was established by the Higher Salaries Commission. This announcement follows a written inquiry in Parliament, highlighting the financial structures in place for municipal leadership. Currently, Suva City Council, along with Nasinu Town and Tavua Town Councils, is being managed by special administrators, who are functioning as acting CEOs.
The methodology for calculating the salaries of acting CEOs involves a formula that adds 95 percent of the gap between the Special Administrator’s pay and the base salary designated for the CEO. For instance, Felix Magnus, the acting CEO of Nasinu Town Council, earns an annual salary of $79,549.80. Meanwhile, Sireli Korovulavula, who serves as the acting CEO for Tavua Town Council, is currently receiving a temporary annual allowance of $12,000, as he awaits approval from the Higher Salaries Commission for his full salary.
Overall, the three councils have a combined expenditure of $183,055.66 on acting CEO salaries, with an additional $26,252 allocated for various official allowances, which cover vehicles, mobile phones, internet access, and travel expenses for official duties.
Additionally, Mr. Nalumisa addressed previous inquiries concerning the establishment of executive chair positions, clarifying that such roles have not been instituted due to the ministry’s non-approval of new positions within municipal council frameworks.
In summary, while the salary disclosures reveal a significant item of public interest, they also highlight the ongoing administrative framework within various councils in Fiji, ensuring that leadership roles are filled even during transitional periods. This ongoing structuring may contribute to stability and continuity in governance as local councils operate under these temporary arrangements.
Looking forward, this situation presents an opportunity for transparency and improvements in governance, which can lead to enhanced public trust in local leadership as these councils work to effectively serve their communities.
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