THE National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) in Port Moresby was ordered closed and staff let off for two days.
Health Minister Sasa Zibe and departmental head Dr Clement Malau issued a short notice of a two-day suspension, effective yesterday.
NACS staff said they received a notice from the minister’s office advising them to vacate the office by 4:06pm on Wednesday and for the office to be locked for two days.
While Mr Zibe did not give reasons for the suspension, some staff members believe the closure is related to an investigation into allegations of misappropriation.
Mr Zibe has reportedly suspended acting director Romanus Pakure and six senior officers on Tuesday and ordered the investigation.
Meanwhile, Mr Pakure and his senior management welcomed the investigation.
They also expressed concerns that proper procedures for their suspensions were not followed as per the Regulatory Statutory Authorities (appointment to certain offices) Act 2004, NAC (Amendment) Act 2007 and the Public Service General Orders, which provided for individual notices to be served to the officers named.
“NEC is the authority that can appoint, revoke or suspend the appointment of the director as per the above Acts. Further to that, all staff are answerable to the director and I can suspend, appoint or terminate them based on recommendations.
“However in this case, the Health Minister and the Secretary had written one letter and ordered a group suspension, not individually,” he said.
Mr Pakure said they were disappointed after first learning of their suspensions through media reports yesterday, before being served the actual suspension notice by the Secretary, which he said, was not procedurally correct.
The officers did not have time to respond to allegations and were suspended for two months as of 4:06pm yesterday, while staff are expected back at work next week.
Mr Pakure said they will cooperate to clear their names and urged all stakeholders to work with NACS in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.