Abel: Mera stays

MINISTER for Commerce and Industry Charles Abel has made it clear that any appointment must not be based on political expediency.
“I am not in the business of removing public servant based on allegations or political expediency,” Abel said.
He was responding to questions raised in Parliament last week by Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris surrounding the appointment of Steven Mera as secretary to the ministry.
He said the appointment of Mera was brought to the NEC by Kapris and cabinet appointed Mera which was gazetted on May 31, 2011.
Abel said the questions and allegations surrounding the appointment were then referred back to the Public Service Commission which cleared them.
“As far as I am concerned, the current NEC decision stands and until such time as task force sweep or any other investigative authority comes up with concrete evidence of misdeeds by Mera, he remains.”