The Public Service Commission following an extensive process of advertising and upon having gone through rigorous interviews and scrutiny, has finalized appointment of 17 Permanent Secretaries 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.
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 names of successful expatriate candidates (5) will be announced as soon as they accept and sign their respective Contracts.
Mohan said 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.
Current High Commissioner to India Yogesh Karan returns next year to take up his new post as Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office.
Current Deputy Secretary for Finance David Kolitagane is now the Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprise.
Iowane Tiko will now take up the post of Permanenet Secretary for Education.
While Meciusela Tuicakau has been confirmed Permanent Secretary for Health.
Commissioner Central Meleti Bainimarama has also been appointed Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development.
Naipote Katonitabua who is the current Acting Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office will now serve as Permanent Secretary Itaukei Affairs.
Malakai Finau the Director for Mineral Resources will take up the post of Permanent Secretary Lands and Mineral Resources.
Continuing in their posts are Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism Shaheen Ali, Josefa Koroivueta the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and Osea Cawaru the Permanent Secretary for Defense, National Security & Immigration.