Eleven new permanent secretaries have been officially appointed by Luke Rokovada, Chair of the Fiji Public Service Commission.
Dr Andrew Tukana, who has been appointed Permanent Secretary Agriculture and Waterways, has served in the agricultural sector for over 30 years. Dr Tukana replaces Dr Vinesh Kumar who has been acting in the position since 17 March 2023.
Parmesh Chand is Permanent Secretary Civil Service and Public Enterprises. Chand has served in senior executive leadership roles for more than 30 years. He replaces Susan Kiran who has been posted as Secretary to Cabinet.
Selina Kuruleca has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Education. Kuruleca has extensive experience working in various capacities as consultant, therapist, team leader, board chair and manager. She replaces Dr Anjeela Jokhan who resigned earlier this year.
Jone Maritino Nemani has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. Nemani has accumulated 33 years of work experience locally, regionally and internationally working in diverse industries. He replaces Atish Kumar who has reverted to his substantive position as Director Labour Standard Services.
Atelaite Rokosuka has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry. Rokosuka is a career Civil Servant, serving in the civil service for the past 27 years in many capacities in various Government Ministries. She has been acting in this position since 1 February 2023.
Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala has been appointed Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs. Dr Korovavala has more than 35 years of experience in executive leadership, change management and international relations. He had served previously as the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs.
Mason Smith has been appointed Permanent Secretary Home Affairs and Immigration. He has over 38 years of experience serving in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Acting Head of Mission with the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York. For the past six years he has been the Regional Director for International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Manasa Lesuma has been appointed Permanent Secretary Housing. Lesuma also served as Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Planning and Policing since 2019 which became Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration this year. Lesuma succeeds Sanjeeva Perera who has resigned.
Pita Wise has been appointed Permanent Secretary Office of the Prime Minister. Wise has served for more than 36 years in various capacities from Economic Planning Officer to Deputy Secretary and Permanent Secretary in several Ministries. He assumes this role from Yogesh Karan who has been reassigned as Permanent Secretary for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry.
Isoa Talemaibua has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management. He is currently the Head of Budget at the Ministry of Finance.
Eseta Nadakuitavuki has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. Nadakuitavuki has over 35 years working experience and has held executive roles in the banking industry. She is also the Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council.
The effective date for the appointments will be at various dates from June 2023.
