Jale Sigarara was so excited about being named an assistant minister that he couldn’t sleep after receiving a call to turn for yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony.

The retired civil servant was sworn in yesterday as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment.

“Last night I did not sleep. It was about 10pm when they announced and rang me to tell me to come today,” Mr Sigarara said of his appointment.

“I am surprised but happy and we will continue the good work that our former ministers have done.”

He is a retired civil servant and farmer.
He served in the Ministry of Forests for 20 years and in the Fijian Affairs Board for another 20 years.

The 64-year-old was one of eight assistant ministers and 12 ministers sworn in under oath at the State House.

Mr Sigarara shares the position of Assistant Minister alongside Viam Pillay, who was appointed to the Ministry of Agriculture in February last year.

He looks forward to working with his line Minister for Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy.

After his retirement in 2014 he re- turned to his village in Wainunu, Bua, Vanua Levu, to pursue farming and serve his people as the Wainunu District representative for the Bua Provincial Council.

Edited by Epineri Vula