Ganai appointed dept secretary

By HELEN TARAWA
DAVID Ganai is the new Department of Commerce and Industry secretary appointed by the National Executive Council on May 16.
Department of Personnel Management (DPM) secretary Taies Sanson, told The National that the appointment was for a four-year term made in April.
Taies, while dismissing claims of irregularities in the appointment of Ganai, said a formal notification was sent from DPM informing him of his appointment by NEC on May 5.
Ganai, who had been acting secretary for Commerce and Industry for a short period, called a staff meeting on May 20, announcing his own appointment as permanent secretary.
Ganai’s appointment was being questioned because there was no official announcement to staff at the department. It was claimed that there was no written circular issued after the Friday staff meeting.
There were concerns raised by staff within the department that normal protocol was not followed.
The normal protocol for any state agency was that a written circular would be issued confirming the secretary’s appointment for a four-year term as a clear public declaration because the position was still deemed vacant after it was advertised in the media.
Taies said Ganai was appointed by NEC on April 18 and it was made formal through a notice.