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By ELIZABETH MIAE
The National Executive Council (NEC) has suspended National Museum and
Art Gallery director Simon Poraituk to allow an investigation into the
alleged anomalies at NMAG.
This was disclosed yesterday by Culture and Tourism Minister Charles
Abel, who also said that Mr Poraituk had been replaced by Vincent Kaupa,
an NEC appointee.
The investigation would look into the findings of the Public Accounts
Committee on the operations of NMAG.
Mr Abel said the PAC had uncovered serious irregularities in the
management of the National Cultural Properties and the War Surplus
Materials at the NMAG.
He told reporters during a news briefing the issue had been hanging over
their heads, prompting him to look for the submission that was
previously prepared for NEC.
Mr Abel said he resurrected the submission and NEC approved its
recommendations, among them the suspension of Mr Poraituk and the
appointment of Mr Kaupa while a probe was being conducted.
He also expressed concern that no action had been taken over the
allegations and recommendations until now.
Mr Abel said appropriate steps were followed when he prepared the
submission to NEC.
PAC’s specific recommendations to parliament amongst other matters
included:
*NMAG be thoroughly investigated and
restructured to effect operational efficiency, management control,
standards and accountability,
*The NMAG board of trustees and the director
be terminated;
*The director and staff involved in the export
of World War II relics, protected cultural and biological specimens
including the popular “Swamp Ghost” be referred to the police for
criminal prosecution here and abroad; and
*The director and the leaders implicated in
the illegal heritage trade are referred to the Ombudsman Commission for
further investigation and referrals to the leadership tribunal.
As acting director, Mr Kaupa will take immediate steps to safeguard all
funds and assets of the museum and facilitate the probe by appropriate
Government agencies.
 
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