The Public Service Commission (PSC) following an extensive process of advertising and upon having gone through rigorous interviews and scrutiny has finalised appointment of 17 Permanent Secretaries (PSs) out of the 20 roles for which candidates were sought. Of the 17 appointees, 3 are currently in Permanent Secretary roles, 2 in Acting Permanent Secretary roles, 5 are Senior Civil Servants promoted from within, 5 expatriates (2 women) and 2 are Fijians serving overseas.
Mr Vishnu Mohan, Chairman of the PSC said that the Commission in its search for suitable candidates followed a timeline, criteria and plan of action to appoint the best qualified persons for the respective roles. He further elaborated that the Commission had access to top professional services in the process of advertising, shortlisting, interviews and recruitment. This was provided by Melbourne based NGS Global Pty Ltd.
The Commission is pleased to announce the names of the 11 local candidates who have been selected for the respective roles. The names of successful expatriate candidates (5) will be announced as soon as they accept and sign their respective Contracts. They have been respectively successful for roles of Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport; Permanent Secretary for Civil Service; Permanent Secretary for Local Government, Housing and Environment; Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports and Permanent Secretary for Communication and Information Technology.
The 11 successful local candidates are:
1. Mr Yogesh Karan - Permanent Secretary Prime Minister’s Office
2. Mr David Kolitagane - Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises
3. Mr Iowane P Tiko - Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts
4. Dr Meciusela A. Tuicakau - Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services
5. Mr Shaheen Ali - Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade & Tourism
6. Mr Samuela V. Lagataki - Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forests
7. Mr Meleti R Bainimarama - Permanent Secretary for Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management
8. Dr Josefa Koroivueta - Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation
9. Mr Naipote Katonitabua - Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs
10. Mr Osea N Cawaru - Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security & Immigration
11. Mr Malakai Finau - Permanent Secretary for Lands & Mineral Resources
In announcing these appointments, I would like it to be noted that the role of Permanent Secretary for Sugar has been merged with Permanent Secretary of Agriculture. This has been done to allow for better synergies and collaboration between non-sugar agricultural sector and mainstream sugar sector. The idea also is to capitalise on the extensive network and capacity, which the Ministry of Agriculture has, and for these to be effectively mobilised to assist the sugar cane industry. A local candidate has been identified in this regard and the details will be announced later.
The appointments have been made pursuant to para 126 (1) (a) of 2013 Constitution, with the agreement of the Prime Minister. The unfilled roles of Permanent Secretary for Finance; Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations will be re-advertised.