Am well to carry out duties, Ikupu tells office caretaker

 THE caretaker administration of the Motu Koita Assembly has been told by chairman Miria Ikupu that he is fit and well to carry out his duties.

The caretaker administration appointed Opao Udia as acting chairman while Ikupu was overseas for medical treatment last July.

Ikupu says he is the elected chairman of the assembly and will be leaving for Brisbane, Australia this week for a medical review.

He says on his return next week, he will summon the caretaker administration which has refused to recognise him as chairman after he returned from medical leave last November. 

In a letter to the Ombudsman Commission dated January 13, 2016, Ikupu said the assembly led by Udia claimed that they were the lawful authority based on the premise that he was totally disabled, debilitated and incapacitated and unable to perform his duties and responsibilities as chairman.  

Ikupu refuted these claims, saying he is well and able to function normally.

Ikupu is also disputing the decision by the caretaker administration to change the signatories to the assembly’s bank account.