“It needs dedication, commitment, perseverance,” says Tonga new Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker

Tonga’s newly appointed Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker said he was prepared to dedicate his life and commit to the job.

He said his role was to give the Prime Minister correct advice and help with government’s roles in growing the country’s economy.

The Public Service Commission has announced the appointment today.  

The announcement comes after Kaniva news and other media have reported last week Cocker has been picked by PSC for the role.

In his role as CEO of the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour, before he was appointed to the new job, Cocker was instrumental in pushing for Tonga to support the PACER Plus trade agreement.

He also traveled to other Pacific islands incuding Samoa to discuss opportunities for Tonga’s exports.

“This is a national task of providing the correct advice to the PM on how to grow the economy, which also include the professionalism of devising and implementing of Government priorities,”Cocker said.

“It needs dedication, commitment, perseverance, speed, analytical skills and strategic thinking.”

Cocker holds a Master of Business Administration (1991) and a Master of Science in Community Economic Development (1990) from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), New Hampshire, United States of America.

Cocker was previously appointed to the public service in 2007 as the Director of Tourism.

He also held various positions in the private sector including Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, Tonga Water Board, Friendly Islands Marketing Corporation from 1982 to 1992.

From May 1992 until December, 2000 Cocker was the Marketing, Trade, Investment and Product Development advisor for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Fiji.

He was the director for the Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Services under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), at the US Territory of Northern Mariana Islands from 2001 to November, 2005.

The post of the Chief Secretary became vacant in July 2018 after former chief secretary and secretary to cabinet, Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi Tiueti, tendered her resignation.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news