The Chair of the Public Service Commission, Mrs. Mishka Tu'ifua, announced today that Cabinet has approved the appointment of three new Heads of Departments in the public service.

They are:

-Mr 'Inoke Vala to the Ministry of Public Enterprises;

-Mr. Edgar Cocker to the Ministry of Tourism; and

-Mrs 'Apisake Soakai as Secretary of the Public Service Commission.

No suitable applicants were found for the Head of the Transport Ministry and the position will be re-advertised at a later date (along with re-advertising the Head of Department roles for Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Health).

"The Government and the Commission are pleased that the open selection process attracted a number of applications for each of these positions and has resulted in these quality appointments", Mrs. Tu'ifua said. She added that the positions had been advertised overseas as well as within Tonga and attracted quite a deal of interest.

Mrs. Tu'ifua said that all Heads of Departments face some strong challenges in the years ahead as the public service moves to a performance based management system and grapples with an extensive reform agenda.

"These appointments will add to the collegiate strength of the Heads' group", she said, "and that is a most welcome development".

It is expected that the new appointees will take up duties over the next few weeks. All have been appointed on contract for four years. PSC, 15/08/07.