The Public Service Commission says Fiji has lost one of its most dedicated civil service leaders with the passing of Permanent Secretary Ratu Isoa Talemaibua.
PSC chairman Luke Rokovada said the Commission is deeply saddened by the loss of an economist and senior civil servant whose public service career spanned from 2009 until his passing.
He said Ratu Isoa provided exemplary leadership across several key roles, including as Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management (2023-2025), Head of Budget and Planning at the Ministry of Finance (2018-2023), and Acting Chief Economic Planning Officer in the Expenditure Management Unit of the Budget Division (2016–2018).
“Ratu Isoa led a team of young budget specialists in implementing critical government policy mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Rokovada said.
“His stewardship ensured the successful rollout of vital initiatives such as food ration distributions, the Unemployment Benefit Assistance programme, and the General Practitioner Scheme.
“Through his efforts, the most vulnerable members of our society received essential support during one of Fiji’s darkest chapters. That is a legacy of civil service leadership that cannot be replaced.”
Mr Rokovada also spoke of Ratu Isoa’s collegiality and personal warmth.
He described him as “a jovial and respected member of the Permanent Secretary Forum who will be deeply missed by his colleagues across the civil service.”
The PSC chairman and the Commission extended condolences to Ratu Isoa’s wife, Mrs Taraivini Senirewa Qiowasa Talemaibua, and their children, Adi Salanieta Bogidrau, Ratu Fereniki Talemaibua and Adi Sokoveti Lotowea, “during this time of profound loss.”
