Taga heeds call to serve

It was a calling, said Dr Raijeli Taga yesterday as she took on the top job as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.

She started her working career at the ministry 29 years ago and through the years moved up the ranks.

“It is exciting and challenging, but I welcome the challenge. It’s a calling for me especially through this new normal,” she said.

The Ministry of Lands is responsible for State-owned land, overlooking all aspects of mining as well.

“It’s not easy to deal with land matters. There are hurdles. One of our main focus is on development, and for that we need land,” she said.

Ms Taga is originally from Beqa but grew up in the tough Nabua suburb. She attended Dudley High School before joining the University of the South Pacific.

After completing her Masters at the University of Queensland, she was offered a scholarship by the university to complete her doctorate.

She said the public opinion on the efficiency of the ministry was negative. She knows that change was required and for that actions should speak louder than words.

“We have to be more efficient and deliver a quality service. We are here to do a job paid by the taxpayers and we should be able to deliver what is expected of us,” she said.