The Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has announced his 2008 Cabinet Reshuffle with 9 interim ministers out with a new look 12 member interim cabinet in.
The interim ministers that are out of the interim administration are Interim Minister for Public Service Poseci Bune, Interim Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Housing Adi Laufitu Malani, Interim Minister for Health Dr Jona Senilagakali, Interim Minister for Labour Industrial Relations, Tourism and Environment Bernadette Rounds Ganilau, Interim Minister for Lands Tevita Vuibau, Interim Minister for Public Utilities Jone Navakamocea, Interim Minister for Transport Manu Korovulavula, Interim Minister for Agriculture Jainend Kumar and Interim Minister for Communications Taito Waradi.
The new lineup includes, Commodore Frank Bainimarama remains as Interim Prime Minister who also has the Public Service, the People's Charter For Change, Information, Provincial Development, Indigenous and Multi Ethnic Affairs to take care of.
Interim Attorney General is still Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum now with the Public Enterprise under his belt.
Mahendra Chaudhry retains his ministry of finance and sugar which will now also include Public Utilities, Water and Energy, National Planning.
Interim Minister for Tourism Trade and Communications Tom Ricketts, Interim Minister for Defence National Security and Immigration Ratu Epeli Ganilau, Interim Minister for Primary Industries Joketani Cokanasiga, Interim Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts and Youth and Sports, Filipe Bole, Interim Minister for Lands and Miniral Resources and Environment Netani Sukanaivalu.
Interim Minister for Health, Women and Social Welfare is now Dr Jiko Luveni, Interim Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations, Local Government, Urban Development and Housing is Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, the Interim Minister for Works and Transport is now Brigadier Timoci Lesi Natuva.
Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has assured the people of Fiji that drastic changes are expected with the new look interim cabinet coming into office.
The swearing in ceremony of the new ministers will be held at the President's Office next week.
Reactions to reshuffle
The now former Interim Minister for Labour and Tourism and Environment, Bernadette Rounds Ganilau said that she has enjoyed her time with the interim administration and adds that she is happy with her time in her ministries, tourism, environment and labour.
The Labour Industrial Relations portfolio has now been given to Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi while the Tourism Ministry has gone to Tom Ricketts and Environment will fall under Netani Sukanaivalu.
Former Interim Minister for Women and Social Welfare and Housing, Adi Laufitu Malani has revealed that she is happy with whatever decision Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has made with regards to the cabinet reshuffle.
The Ministry of Women and Social Welfare portfolio will now fall under the new Interim Health Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni while Urban Development and Housing is now the responsibility of Lek Ram Vayeshnoi.
Former Interim Minister for Agriculture, Jainend Kumar said this is something that the Interim Prime Minister had to do and his decision is paramount.
The Defence and Immigration portfolio which was previously held by Commodore Bainimarama will now be held by former Interim Fijian Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau while Bainimarama takes over the Provincial Development, Indigenous and Multi Ethnic Portfolio.
The Agriculture Fisheries and Forests portfolio is now being merged under one ministry called Primary Industries to be headed by former Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Joketani Cokanasiga resulting in Jainend Kumar losing his position in Cabinet.
Feature
Cabinet Reshuffle Announced
