Fiji’s National Provident Fund CEO Viliame Vodonaivalu has been named chairman of a new-look 6-member Housing Authority and Public Rental Board, taking office with immediate effect.
He takes over the role from Lorraine Seeto who along with her three other directors resigned two days ago, the Fijian Government said in a statement.
Vodonaivalu sits on the new-look Board comprising CEO of the Fiji Development Bank Saud Minam, civil engineer Renee Duguivalu, Assistant General Manger Strategic and Community Development at the Model Towns or Koroipita Susan Naidu, senior legal officer with the Solicitor General’s office Florence Takinana and Anil Prasad who is a Principal-Agent with Propmate Realty and a Quality Assurance Officer at Paradise Beverages Fiji Ltd.
Among the immediate priorities of the new Board appointees, the Housing Authority and Public Rental Board will be pursuing a public-private partnership with the International Finance Corporation for affordable housing. The partnership, run in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Housing and Community Development, aims to enlist international private sector expertise in the delivery of affordable housing development projects in Fiji.
“The vision of the Fijian Government is to make homeownership achievable for every Fijian and rental rate affordable for those who do not have access to immediate housing. Our new appointees bring a breadth and depth of strategic management experience that will help the PRB and HA deliver on that vision for the benefit of thousands of Fijian families. Both organisations will explore a wide range of partnerships in the public and private sectors to make quality, modern, and affordable housing a reality across the country,” said the AG and Minister for Housing and Community Development, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
He also thanked the former members of the HA and PRB Board of Directors that included Anabel Ali, Senikavika Jiuta, and Mohit Raj.
Regarding the new Board members, the Fijian Government said: “Vodonaivalu’s …strategic nous — honed over decades in the financial services sector will strengthen the management and operational efficiency of the HA and PRB.
“Minam brings over 20 years of strategic and commercial lending experience that will enhance the commercial and development operations of the HA and PRB. Duguivalu is an experienced civil engineer with Hamen Lodhia Engineers Pte Limited. She was formerly a Housing Engineer with the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing & Environment, and an Engineering Technician for Weseng Consulting Limited. Naidu’s background is in the community housing development where she has consistently demonstrated a high-level understanding of the dynamics around the social aspects of housing. Takinana has… extensive legal experience with trade, commerce and investment and is part of the PPP for Affordable Housing Project spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing and Community Development. Through his experience in the real estate industry, Prasad has developed a strong capacity for valuation and marketing.”
