Former Republic of Fiji Military Forces commanders’ salaries ranged between $94,000-$222,000, said Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua.
He made the information available to Parliament last week.
Mr Tikoduadua said prior to the current Commander of the RFMF, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, three commanders held the leadership position in the RFMF.
Former Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama was Commander RFMF from 2005 to March 4, 2014, Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga held the position of Commander from March 5, 2014 to July 2015 and Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto acted in the position of Commander RFMF from August 2015 to February 2016 before being appointed as the Commander RFMF in March 2016.
“Remuneration for the three previous commanders of the RFMF ranged from an annual salary of between $94,000-$222,000,” said Mr Tikoduadua.
He didn’t specify which commander got how much.
“During the period 1999 to 2014 of Rear Admiral Bainimarama’s leadership in the RFMF, apart from his annual remuneration, he also received the RFMF service allowance.
“Brigadier Tikoitoga and Rear Admiral Naupoto did not receive any additional allowances as the period of them taking up the position coincided with the introduction of the revised civil service contracts that did not allow any other allowance apart from the remuneration package.”
Mr Tikoduadua said the three previous commanders were entitled to an official vehicle with a driver for official duties and the commander is entitled to business class travel for official overseas meetings only.
“Additionally, as the Commander RFMF, the officers were entitled to an official phone and official government residence in which he pays 8 per cent of his basic salary as rent and this is deducted at monthly intervals which is paid directly to the Office of the Accommodation and Government Housing Unit at the Ministry of Finance.
“Furthermore, the commanders were entitled to free medical attention by a government medical officer, however, a charge is levied for any medication and drugs. Free dental attention is not entitled for public officers or those subsidised by government.
“This entitlement of free medical service is limited only to the commander, and this does include his family or dependents.”
