CAAF without CEO for 5 years
The announcement of a chief executive officer at Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji is expected to be a made soon after internal loose ends are tied up within the organisation.
Newly elected minister for Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, is in the West next week, to look into the matter, among other pressing issues concerning tourism and aviation.
He told SunBiz there were issues such as the appointment of the board that needed to be addressed.
The CEO’s position was last advertised in 2021.
SunBiz was reliably informed that the salary offered for the position was oudated, as it did not match the role or responsibilities that came with the territory.
The last board chair, Nilesh Prasad of law firm Mitchell Keil, and realtor Reginald Jokhan, confirmed their term on the board had ended.
With a number of business leaders away on annual leave, the formation of corporate boards, would take a little more time. SunBiz also understands that the implementation of human resources-related matters will need to be completed.
Two international audits have highlighted the need for the authority to have a confirmed position for the role.
In the meantime...
Theresa Levestam, the country’s first female air traffic controller, was appointed acting chief executive officer of CAAF in 2020, when she replaced Ajay Kumar, who was also acting in the position.
Her career in the aviation sector dates back to 1992, when she was an assistant air traffic control officer.
Four years after, she became Fiji’s first female air traffic controller in Fiji.
Industry insiders believe Ms Levestam is the best choice for the confirmed position, for reasons that include her apolitical stance.
The late Jone Koroitamana was Fiji’s first local and former CEO for CAAF.
Norman Yee and Netava Waqa were former CEOs of the aviation authority.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) is an independent statutory authority established in 1979.