Kuruleca, Nadakuitavuki, Smith and Wise announced as Permanent Secretaries in all local PS lineup

Well known psychotherapist, Selina Kuruleca has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Education, top business executive, Eseta Nadakuitavuki has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, former senior military officer and former Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mason Smith has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration and Acting Permanent Secretary, Pita Wise is the new Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Following an extensive recruitment process, the Chair of the Public Service Commission, Luke Rokovada says with the agreement of the Prime Minister, he is announcing 11 appointments.

Rokovada adds that, with these announcements, all Permanent Secretaries are Fijian nationals which is a testament to Fiji’s expanding talent pool and the Civil Service’s success in attracting outstanding applicants.

Kuruleca has extensive experience working in various capacities as Consultant, Therapist, Team Leader, Board Chair and Manager. Rokovada says she brings a wealth of knowledge from working in the Civil Service, Banks, Non-Government sector both locally and internationally and technical partners such as World Health Organisation, United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Kuruleca replaces Dr Anjeela Jokhan who resigned earlier this year.

Eseta Nadakuitavuki has over 35 years working experience and has held executive roles in the banking industry. She has been at the forefront of negotiations with the Department of Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation for disbursement of social welfare assistance. She is also the Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council and has firsthand experience in articulating strategic initiatives for women such as mentorship and the women economic empowerment programs. She is also a member of the Global Banking Alliance for Women.

Rokovada says Mason Smith has over 38 years of experience serving in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Acting Head of Mission with the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and was responsible for implementing several Government policies and programmes in a cost effective and efficient manner. He also served as Director for several Boards, Chairman of the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and in leadership roles in the private sector. He worked in an executive capacity with Goodman Fielder. For the past six years he has been the Regional Director for International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Rokovada says Pita Wise has a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in the Civil Service. He has served for more than 36 years in various capacities from Economic Planning Officer to Deputy Secretary and Permanent Secretary in several Ministries. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He assumes this role from Yogesh Karan who has been reassigned as Permanent Secretary for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry.

Jone Maritino Nemani, has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations.

The PSC Chair says Nemani has accumulated 33 years of work experience locally, regionally and internationally working in diverse industries. Rokovada says Nemani has extensive experience in strategic planning and advisory capacities at executive, national, regional and international level, delivering clear policies and workforce direction of government, corporate and state entities. Nemani was a former Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports and was the Director for People and Workforce Strategy at USP.

Atelaite Rokosuka has been appointed Permanent Secretary 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 before becoming Acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry. Doctor 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 has served in academia and as an International Policy Advisor offering advisory and consulting services to clients on security management, international policy, international relations, policy analysis, capacity building, project management and human resource development in Australia, Asia and the Pacific regions. He had served previously as the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs.

Doctor Andrew Tukana has been appointed Permanent Secretary Agriculture and Waterways. Doctor Tukana served in the Agricultural Sector for over 30 years. Rokovada says he has served in Fiji and the Pacific region and brings with him extensive senior leadership experience. Doctor Tukana replaces Vinesh Kumar who has been acting in the position since 17th March 2023.

Parmesh Chand has been appointed Permanent Secretary Civil Service and Public Enterprises. Chand has served in Senior Executive Leadership roles for more than 30 years. Chand replaces Susan Kiran who has been posted as Secretary to Cabinet.

Manasa Lesuma has been appointed Permanent Secretary for Housing. Lesuma is a career civil servant progressing steadily through the ranks in senior executive roles. He served as Deputy Secretary Operations at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Chief Executive Officer at the National Fire Authority. He also served as Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Planning and Policing since 2019 which became Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration this year. Earlier this year he was reassigned as acting Permanent Secretary for Housing. Lesuma took over from Sanjeeva Perera who has resigned.

Isoa Talemaibua has been appointed Permanent Secretary Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management. He is currently the Head of Budget at the Ministry of Finance.

Rokovada has extended his warm welcome to the new appointees and expresses gratitude to the outgoing Permanent Secretaries for their significant contribution to the Fijian Civil Service and Government during their respective tenure.