TO ACT AS PRIME MINISTER OVER NEXT TWO WEEKS
PROVEN RECORD OF STRONG LEADERSHIP
The decision to appoint Minister for Employment,
Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone
Usamate to be ActingPrime Minister over the next two weeks is significant.
Both the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney-General Aiyaz
Sayed-Khaiyum, who normally steps up as number two, are attending COP23 the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.
The conference runs from November 6 to November 17.
Mr Usamate has a proven record of both strong leadership and management skills.
His loyalty to the FijiFirst Government’s vision is portrayed in his efforts to raise standards in the various ministries he has led since
2012.
His leadership was tested when he was at the helm at the Health
Ministry.
Yet he pressed on with a strong focus on providing better services and upgrading of health facilities.
He will be remembered by those in the public health sector for recognising and compensating them with better packages.
But that is just one example. For those who have worked with Mr Usamate, he comes across as a ‘brilliant leader who has a heart for the people, including his staff.” A senior Government official who worked with him at the Ministry of Health said he has strong leadership skills and was focused on productivity.
Perhaps his previous role as the chief executive officer of the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji (TPAF) and as Director for Technical and Vocational Education and Training at the Fiji National University play a part in his strategic approach.
He has shown to have transformational leadership qualities focused on developing and inspiring a vision for the future.
Mr Usamate, it has been said, leads by example and has been a mentor for those who have had the privilege of working with him.
He certainly has in-born leadership traits widely recognized by his subordinates.
A compassionate leader is how some have labeled him. “He is simple, humble and thinks about others.” was how a Permanent Secretary described the Kadavu man. How Mr Usamate performs over the next two weeks will certainly influence his standing in the upcoming General Elections.