by Georgina Maka’a

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele today confirmed Sir Jimmie Rodgers, who holds the position of Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM), has been reassigned on special duties.

Dr Melchoir Mataki, currently the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, is the new SPM.

Manele, who returned home today after attending the World Government’s Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said there’s “nothing sinister” about Rodgers’ reassignment.

“These arrangements are not new,” Manele said.

“They already existed at OPMC and have been used before,” he added.

“I believe with the transformative agenda the GNUT Government wants to drive, we need to reactive these structure to ensure the capacity of OPMC as the coordinating ministry of the government is enhanced”

Manele said up until now, Rodgers, who was recently knighted and now holds the title of “Sir”, has shouldered many additional responsibilities to his usual SPM roles since taking on that position more than six years ago.

“Rodgers has been performing virtually two to three full-time jobs during that time as SPM without complaining and at no extra cost to the government,” the prime minister said.

He said over the past six years, Rodgers has done so much for the country.

These include:

• Leading the country’s efforts to successfully host the largest and most successful Pacific Games ever
• Chairing the National Provident Fund Board and helping to lift the Fund’s performance during a challenging period economically
• Leading the broader coordination of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services
• Assisting in our responses during the 2021 riot
• Assisting in the securing of financing for the first ever joint elections last year, and
• Mobilising funding to support the Ministry of Finance both externally and domestically.

Manele said this year is going to be a very busy year for the GNUT government so Rodgers will be an integral part of the government’s drive to achieve its transformational agenda in 2025.

“Sir Jimmie agreed to remain in 2025 but he requested that I consider appointing a new SPM to take on the normal role of the SPM so he can focus on other priorities and transformational agenda that this government wishes to drive and deliver which are outside the scope of the SPM’s core role. 

“These roles include completing the audit process for the Pacific Games and have it tabled in Parliament, assist in the arrangements and securing of finances to host international and regional meetings, assist in the coordination of Pacific Minister’s regional meeting on water in August and the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (26:03) meeting in September this year.”

Manele said Rodgers will also focus on special projects such as the institutional houses for the heads of the three arms of government, the Prime Minister, Speaker of National Parliament and the Chief Justice.

He will also be responsible for the design and building of the new OPMC headquarters building and continue to support MOFT and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination in mobilising these resources for the government. 

Both Mataki and Rodgers accompanied Manele on the Dubai trip.

Mataki’s replacement is yet to be made known.