From Fijitimes Online (10 July 2006)

Walter calls it a day

by Jona Bola

WALTER Rigamoto officially resigned as chairman of the Fiji Human Rights Commission at the weekend.

With it he ended 33 years of service in the public sector.

The Ombudsman Walter Rigamoto clears his office as he leaves the service after 33 years

Mr Rigamoto will start on his new job with the Muaror and Company law firm today.

He said he always wanted to join the private sector after years of service in government.

Mr Rigamoto yesterday was clearing his personal belongings from his office at the Fiji Human Rights Commission.

“Although I had plans to move into the private sector I did not expect to move this early,” he said.

“It’s definitely not an easy decision to make but after a good offer from the private sector and good opportunity ahead, I believe it’s a positive move.

“I must say I owe the Government a lot for the 33 years of experience I’ve spent with them and I guess this is the right time to move on.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the 33 years I spent in government and the experience I gained would be of great use when 1 join a private a firm.”

Mr Rigamoto also spent three years at the Ombudsman’s office.

He brushed aside suggestions that he was leaving the commission because of its reaction on the affirmative action.

“That is not in any way a reason for me resigning,” he said.

Mr Rigamoto said he was happy about the government decision to review the affirmative action program.

He said the highlight of his career in the public sector was when he was appointed as a member of the Constitution Review Committee and he certainly learnt a great deal from the process.