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‘Mann ranked top but overlooked’
By JAMES APA GUMUNO
SOME leaders in the Western Highlands
province claim the merit based system was not followed in the
appointment of Dr Clement Malau as the new Health Secretary and removal
of former secretary Dr Nicholas Mann.
The leaders claim they have documents that show that the points system
in the merit-based appointment process ranked Dr Mann ahead of Dr Malau
and another candidate, but that was overlooked.
The leaders, who expressed this concern in a signed statement, included
Imbal Aipe, former MP for North Waghi; Pater Aii, North Waghi council
president; Talu Aipe, Nondugl council president; Robert Mun, South Waghi
council president; and councillor John Rok.
They said Dr Mann should have been retained.
The leaders said the Government was making a mockery of the much
publicised merit-based appointment process under section 31 A of the
Public Service Management Act in the appointment of the Health
Department boss.
They said if the National Executive Council considered merits base
criteria submitted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the
Minister for Public Service Sinai Brown, they would have selected Dr
Mann for the job.
According to merit-based assessment matrix submitted by the PSC in their
letter dated last Oct 17 to Mr Brown on the three short-listed
candidates, Dr Malau scored 24 points, Dr Timothy Pyakalia scored 26
points and former secretary Dr Mann scored 29 points.
They said obviously, Dr Mann outscored the two, and should have got the
nod in the cabinet meeting last Dec 14.
“What is the National Alliance-led government trying to prove to the
people in PNG?” they asked.
The leaders said they had been encouraged recently by statements from
the Health Minister Sir Peter Barter that health indicators in the
country such as life expectancy have improved in the last few years, and
Dr Mann should share the credit for this.
 
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