Tribunal orders reinstatement of fisheries permanent secretary

After 22 months of disciplinary proceedings that cast uncertainty over her position, Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry Atelaite Rokosuka is set to resume work following a ruling by the Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal.

Ms Rokosuka broke down in tears last Friday after the tribunal ordered her reinstatement.

The case stemmed from an agreement signed between the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry and Infinite Power Clean Energy (Fiji) Pte Limited, involving a proposed $110 million investment to manufacture, supply and install wind turbines across 27 Fisheries and Forestry stations, ice plants and nurseries nationwide.

Ms Rokosuka was suspended on February 9, 2024, but continued to receive her salary until October 14, 2024. The matter was referred to the tribunal on October 15, after which her salary ceased.

She faced two charges of misconduct, including failing to follow due process by not heeding advice from the Solicitor-General’s Office or adequately consulting the ministry before signing the agreement, and failing to comply with the Procurement Regulations 2010 when executing the agreement on November 24, 2023.

On September 19, 2024, the tribunal found both allegations proven on the balance of probabilities and invited submissions from both parties on possible sanctions.

In its ruling last Friday, the tribunal, acting under Regulation 22(1) and (2) of the Civil Service General Regulations 1999, directed the Public Service Commission to issue a public reprimand denouncing Ms Rokosuka’s misconduct.

The tribunal also ordered that the salary withheld from the date of her suspension until last Friday be forfeited in full, and that she be allowed to resume duties on December 19, with salary calculations to recommence from December 15.