|
By SHEILA LASIBORI
SOME intakes in this year’s Correctional Services recruits face an
“uncertain future in the CS” after the management vowed to terminate
intakes who failed their entry tests.
And certain officers including a senior inspector (named) alleged to
have solicited money from people face dismissal if investigations prove
they were involved in corrupt practices.
CS Minister Tony Aimo yesterday tasked Commissioner Richard Sikani to
thoroughly investigate the allegations and deal with the officers
concerned.
Mr Sikani said an investigation team was being organised and would start
investigations once the Terms of Reference (ToR) was drawn up.
The CS management’s action stems from allegations that a senior officer
based at the headquarters in Port Moresby allegedly received about
K1,500 from individuals and families around the country promising that
their children and relatives would be included in this year’s intake.
The National talked to two parents who claimed to have given K400 and
K200 respectively to the officer but the officer did not keep up to the
promise and excluded their children from the final intake list.
These parents and other dissatisfied parents are looking for ways to get
their grievances to the management in the hope that intakes who paid
their way in will be removed.
“I will personally screen the current recruits, who are here undergoing
training, and those who fail the entry test and (if) selection criteria
were not followed in getting them in, will be terminated,” Mr Sikani
said.
“This is a serious allegation. However, once the investigation team has
completed its findings and submits its report to me, then I will take
action.
“If any officer(s) is found guilty for corrupt practices, I will have no
hesitation but to dismiss that person.”
Some of the things that will be looked at during the investigation
include where the recruitment exercises took place, selection procedures
undertaken by recruitment officers, examination results from applicants
who sat for the tests, identification of serving members’ children
recruited into CS, identity of officers who undertook the recruitment
exercise and why certain applicants were given special considerations
(if any).
“I am very concerned about this allegation because since my appointment
in 2001, I have vowed to stamp out corruption in the department,” Mr
Sikani said.
Mr Aimo also expressed concerns stating he did not want to see such
corrupt practices, especially from senior officers in the service.
 
|
