Fiji’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today announced the appointment of Paula Cirikiyasawa as the incoming Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, effective 30 September 2024.
Cirikiyasawa will succeed Dr. Raijeli Taga, who has held the role since 2020 and will transition to a new position within the government by mid-October 2024.
Cirikiyasawa has held senior roles in the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, and Investment, and in the National Planning Office. Since 2018, he has contributed to global development initiatives through his work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Cirikiyasawa has a Masters in International Relations & Diplomacy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Political Science.
Cirikiyasawa will be tasked with overseeing the ministry’s strategic direction, operations, with a focus on innovation, expansion and sustainability.
The announcement is part of a broader set of reappointments by the PSC this week, which includes Pita Tagicakirewa for I-Taukei Affairs (until November 2025), as well as Seema Sharma for Local Government, Yogesh Karan as PS Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar and Shaheen Ali for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, all of whom have had their terms extended until December 2025.
Susan Kiran was also reappointed as Secretary to the Cabinet until June 2026 and as Permanent Secretary for Information effective this month.
