Authority

Mailekai to head new Revenue Authority

THE new Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) offi cially appointed Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Tui Mailekai (right), as the Authority’s first Chief Executive Officer. The FRCA will be responsible for the functions of the departments of inland revenue and customs and excise.

Mailekai’s appointment became effective January 1, this year.

Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mataiasi Veretayaco, was to become Acting Director General of the Inland Revenue Department, reporting to Mailekai. Comptroller of Customs, Phil Sargeant, was in line for the position of

Director General of the Customs and Excise Department, also reporting to the Chief Executive.

Chairman of the FRCA, Savenaca Narube, the permanent secretary for

finance, said there were seven appli cants for the posi tion of chief execu tive. All were local.

Narube said Mailekai’s appoint ment was in accor dance with the FRCA board’s rec ommendation to the minister of finance.

Mailekai, he said, was chosen for his ability, experi ence and leadership

skills. He served for 11 years as Commissioner of Inland Revenue, leading the Inland Revenue Department through a period of major expansion. In early 1998, Mailekai played a leading role in planning and implementing the Fiji Islands first tax amnesty. The amnesty has to date raised more than $2O million in collection of pre viously unpaid taxes. It was based on a rec ommendation of the Company Tax Advisory Panel report to government.

After confirmation of his appointment, Mailekai said FRCA was a major part of the government’s public service reform programme. “It will be our job to contribute to the country by enhancing the efficiency of revenue collection, recommending a simplified taxation system and improving service to the public.” Mailekai said FRCA’s first priorities included preparation of a corporate plan and a statement of cor porate intent. ■