The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) has moved to give Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai an offer to extend his contract.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the decision was reached during the latest COC meeting after months of discussion on leadership positions across key constitutional offices such as the RFMF Commander, Fiji Corrections Services Commissioner and Secretary General to the Parliament.
“The COC has decided that we will give him another opportunity to say yes to an extension,” Mr Rabuka said, referring to Maj-Gen Kalouniwai.
He said the Commander had earlier been approached on the possibility of an extension and had indicated willingness, before the Commission deferred a final decision to allow further consideration.
“It gave us all time to reconsider all the other things that have happened since the previous meeting three months ago, and June has come, today is the end of June, and (Monday) was the COC meeting.”
Mr Rabuka confirmed the matter will now be communicated to the Minister for Defence, and subject to acceptance, the process would proceed accordingly.
He added that the Commissioner of Corrections appointment remained separate, with a selection panel to be established to manage the recruitment process.
No substantive appointment has yet been made for that position, with Acting Commissioner Auta Moceisuva expected to apply as part of the formal process.
“Oh yes, he will apply, I think he’s already on the list.”
