Gorgom queries Goinau’s appointment as administrator

By JUNIOR UKAHA
FORMER Western province acting administrator Gull Gorgom has raised serious concern about the way the incumbent was appointed, saying proper procedures may have been breached.
Gorgom, who was appointed acting administrator by the public service commission for three months between Nov 10, 2011 and Feb 10, 2012), said in a letter to Public Services Minister Bart Philemon dated March, 21: “A meeting of the provincial executive council to endorse my appointment on March 1-2 was aborted as William Goinau and his cronies abducted the council members on the night of Feb 29 at Aku Lodge with police assistance.”
Gorgom alleged that while that was going on, Goinau had an audience with the prime minister and was reappointed as per NEC decision No. NG59/2012.
Gorgom said that appointment has to be questioned because it did not comply with proper processes on the appointment of provincial administrators.  
Goinau, who was a former administrator, was suspended on allegations of double-dipping and non-performance.
Western province Governor Bob Danaya, in a letter to Goinau on March 15, said: “I urged you not to assume office until matters before the court are concluded and more importantly allegations against you which are under police investigations are finalised.
 “I find your appointment to be dubious from the start, thus your recent reappointment upon legal counsel (is) not proper.”
Fraud Squad director Timothy Gitua confirmed that Goinau was investigated by police recently for double-dipping and other matters.
Gitua said Goinau frustrated over his purported suspension and investigation had taken the governor to court, a matter that was still pending.
In a letter to Southern Region police commander that was copied to Danaya and the Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali, Goinau said: “The gazettal notice (NG59/2012) dated March 9, 2012 revoked the appointment of Gull Gorgom as acting provincial administrator, uplifted my suspension and reinstated me as provincial administrator with effect on and from Nov 10, 2011.”
Goinau said Gorgom had been served the documents but had failed to comply with the orders of the NEC.
He said for the governor to go on air and say that the NEC decision was flawed was against the advice from the executive government.
“I advise that due to the coming elections there is now complete chaos and instability in the province as the governor and Gorgom are misleading the people and advising them to defy lawful NEC decision and Gazettal notices,” Goinau said.
Sources from the province said the tussle over the administrator’s position was the underlying reason why Danaya was arrested by police last week in Port Moresby.