Agiru wants tenders board back in SHP

SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru has demanded that caretaker acting provincial administrator Ungia Kembo and the provincial supply and tenders board (PSTB) immediately return to Mendi.
Agiru said last night that any board meeting must be conducted in the province and not in Port Moresby.
“I am questioning why the acting provincial administrator and the PSTB members are meeting in Port Moresby,” he said.
Agiru said he would be referring them to the secretary for personnel management John Kali for disciplinary action under the Public Service Management Act.
He said acting finance secretary Steven Gibson has withdrawn powers from the caretaker administrator – meaning Kembo has no powers to make commitments under the Public Finance Management Act.
Agiru said until such time the financial powers were restored, the caretaker administrator should conduct PSTB meetings in Mendi and not in Port Moresby.
“Therefore any action or financial commitment by the acting caretaker administrator is deemed illegal and of no effect.
I demand they return to the province,’’ he said.
Agiru said any funding from Waigani for the province must be dealt with by the Central Supply and Tenders Board.
“My PSTB must not be used by politicians for scams and for political projects.
“What they are doing in Port Moresby is wrong and illegal,” Agiru said.