FIJI Corrections Service Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa is focussed on reviewing the entire organisational structure of correctional institutions nationwide to bring service delivery up to par.
Speaking as a guest on The Lens@177, Dr Nakarawa shared how this mammoth journey to transform the FCS has been one of the biggest challenges he’s faced since taking on the mantle of commissioner two months ago.
He said the realignment of the FCS would focus on going back to its core roles and functions, and three review teams have been appointed.
A point of focus for Dr Nakarawa is relooking at how contracts were issued at FCS.
“When I came in, from the deputy commissioner right down to the officers on the floor, they were all temporary appointments,” he said.
“Those in the civil service would know that appointments are permanent and then if there is a vacancy, you act.
“But what has been happening over the years is they made temporary appointments instead of acting or permanent appointments.”
He said when everybody was on temporary appointments, the power was with the commissioner to take out those temporary appointments whenever “they felt like”.
Dr Nakarawa said the organisational structure had been tampered with so much it was out of sequence with what the establishment should be and what was funded by the Ministry of Finance.
“That’s is part of the reviewing the structure and ensuring that these acting appointments are ceased and permanent appointments are made.”
