Appointment of consultant lawful, says minister

THE appointment of James Kiele as the consultant to the National Forest Board is provided under Section 40 of the PNG Forest Act of 1991, says Minister for Forest Douglas Tomuriesa.
He said the salary range (executive level) was appropriate given the experience he had and the level of work he would do.
He was responding to a media report alleging that he was hiring a consultant with a high salary rate.
Tomuriesa said there was nothing to hide in making the appointment as the PNG Forest Act of 1991 allowed for the engagement of a consultant.
He also denied making any payment to Kiele and Associates between 2018 and 2019 and the bills referred to were for the “missed salaries”.
He said based on his office’s recommendation, the former National Forest Board under chairman David Dotaona executed Kiele’s contract on Dec 18, 2017.
He said suspended managing director Tunou Sabuin was aware of the request to engage a consultant and he also approved the 2017 payments.
He said the PNG Forest Act review had been earlier given to a private company but was ceased.
The contract is on a month-to-month basis and can be terminated at any time by either party after giving a 28-day notice.
Acting managing director Goodwill Amos said the consultancy rate was within its means and not as high such as consultants in government circles.