As questions are raised on why the Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Atelaite Rokosuka is starting work in her position again today after being publicly reprimanded, Public Service Commission Chairman, Luke Rokovada says they are complying with the decision by the Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal which is an authority set up under the 2013 Constitution.
Following Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision finding the Permanent Secretary Atelaite Rokosuka guilty in the $115 million Infinite Power Clean Energy (Fiji) Ple Limited wind turbine scandal, PSC has formally denounced her conduct, in accordance to the tribunal ruling.
The Commission, in a public statement, says the tribunal determined that Rokosuka engaged in misconduct of a serious nature.
They say the salary withheld from the time the case was referred to the tribunal up to and including the date of the decision, is wholly forfeited and shall not be reinstated or paid.
The Commission says the reprimand will form part of Rokosuka's official employment and disciplinary record.
They say Rokosuka failed to discharge her duties with care and diligence when she failed to take heed of the legal advice from the Solicitor General's Office to critically consult the relevant ministries and departments and follow due process before entering into an agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy (Fiji) Ple Limited, on behalf of the Fiji Government (Agreement).
They further say Rokosuka failed to comply with the applicable laws when she failed to adhere to the Procurement Regulations 2010 and ensure proper due process was followed in the execution of the Agreement.
The Commission says such conduct is wholly unacceptable and falls well below the standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism expected of a Permanent Secretary and a senior leader within the public service.
They say it has undermined public confidence in the public service and brought the office of the Permanent Secretary into disrepute.
The Commission reiterates that all public office holders, particularly those entrusted with senior leadership responsibilities, are expected to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards at all times.
They further say that as a consequence of this misconduct, and pursuant to the decision of the disciplinary authority a public reprimand is issued as an official and permanent record of censure against Rokosuka.
PSC Chair Luke Rokovada had said last year that an investigation was commissioned by PSC following reports about the deal that was entered into by the Fiji Sports Council through the Executive Chair, Gilbert Vakalalabure and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry through the Permanent Secretary.
Rokovada had said the Fiji Sports Council had entered the agreement without any knowledge of the Permanent Secretary of Sports and the Board of the Council.
Several questions have been raised on whether the Fiji Sports Council Executive Chair has been investigated regarding this wind turbine scandal.
fijivillage News has received confirmation that Vakalalabure has not gone through any investigation process after Rokovada had publicly made the statement last year.
We have sought comments from FICAC on whether it has conducted any investigation in relation to the wind turbine project scandal.
Following the PSC statement publicly reprimanding Rokosuka for her serious misconduct, we have asked FICAC when it will conclude it's investigation if any into this wind turbine scandal.
We have also asked what is the reason if no investigation has been conducted, knowing this is a very serious matter which has been raised publicly since 2023.
Questions have also been sent to the Prime Minister.
