Cabinet reshuffle leaves two ministers surprised

At least two of the six Cabinet ministers affected by the third Government reshuffle announced yesterday said they were not informed beforehand.

They are the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, and the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Tomasi Tunabuna.

The Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, made the announcement on the Fiji Government Facebook page, outlining changes to six ministers’ portfolios.

The reshuffle takes effect on January 19 next year.

Under the changes:

• Sakiasi Ditoka is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
• Mosese Bulitavu takes charge of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.
• Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya is also responsible for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
• Charan Jeath Singh will serve as Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts.
• Ifereimi Vasu retains the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and adds oversight of iTaukei culture, heritage and arts.
• Tomasi Tunabuna now holds two portfolios: Agriculture and Sugar Industry.

Mr Rabuka will continue to oversee Civil Service, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics.

The Office Accommodation and Housing Unit will move to the Ministry of Public Works, while the Ministry of Civil Service retains overall policy responsibilities.

Sachida Nand has been appointed Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development.

Both Mr Singh and Mr Tunabuna have reserved comment.

Mr Ditoka is on a tour in Levuka to commission the Nauouo Multipurpose EC, and attempts to contact other ministers were unsuccessful when this edition went to press.