Mr Josefa Serulagilagi, Chairman of the Public Service Commission with the concurrence of the Prime Minister today announced the appointment of the following six Permanent Secretaries:

Name	Portfolio	Duration
1. Mrs Saipora Mataikabara	Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade	Appointed on promotion on a 3 year contract
2. Mr Jale Fotofili	Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security & Immigration	Appointed on promotion on a 3 year contract
3. Dr Brij Lal	Permanent Secretary for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts, Youth & Sports	Appointed on promotion on a 3 year contract
4. Mr Govind Sami	Permanent Secretary for Women & Social Welfare	Appointed on a re-engaged contract for 18 months
5. Mr Manasa Vaniqi	Permanent Secretary for Provincial Development, Multi Ethnic Affairs, National Disaster Management & Sugar	Re-appointed for another three year term
6. Ms Elizabeth Powell	Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises, Tourism & Communication	Appointed on a three year contract

In announcing the appointments, Mr Serulagilagi said that the Public Service Commission undertook a thorough and independent processing of the applications received for the respective posts. The shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the full Commission and the names were then submitted to the Prime Minister for his concurrence.

Mr Serulagilagi said that the selected candidates have the requisite qualifications and skills to lead their respective Ministries and meaningfully contribute to Government’s Reform Programme pertaining to the civil service and broader public sector.

Mrs Taina Tagicakibau has been re-assigned the vacant Permanent Secretary position of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing & Environment within her existing 3 year contract.

The Commission had earlier advertised the vacant posts of Permanent Secretary for Information, National Archives and Library Services and Permanent Secretary for Finance. The position of Permanent Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office will be re-advertised as no suitable applications were received.

Date: 18/06/2010