TLTB says staffing based on competency as gender balance questioned

Standing Committee Chair Iliesa Vanawalu queried whether TLTB was doing enough to align its staffing composition with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, noting the Board currently employs 173 males and 100 females.

Vanawalu asked whether steps were being considered to move towards ratios such as 60–40 or 50–50, acknowledging the challenges, but emphasising the importance of progress.

Responding to the concerns, TLTB Chief Executive Officer Solomone Nata says recruitment and deployment decisions are guided primarily by competencies and the nature of the work involved, rather than fixed gender quotas.

Insert: Depends on the job - Nata Jan 29

He says operational needs often require mixed teams, with male officers and female assistants working together to ensure effective field operations and community engagement.

Beyond staffing matters, Nata highlighted improvements in leadership, management, compliance and service delivery, pointing to the Board’s receipt of the President’s Award in 2024 as a major milestone.

He says TLTB has significantly expanded its use of digital systems, with lease processing and documentation now largely conducted online, improving efficiency, accessibility and customer satisfaction.

Nata also told the committee that the Board is progressing towards international benchmarking through ISO certification.

He says the first phase of the process was completed last year, and TLTB is now entering the second phase as part of its commitment to continuous improvement.