Governors get to appoint administrators

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday 5th September, 2012

THE power to appoint provincial administrators will be transferred back to the governors in each province, Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu said yesterday.
Sir Puka, while debating on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s speech in parliament yesterday, said among some of the reforms likely to take place in the public service machinery was the transfer of powers.
He said provincial governors and their
provincial executive council would appoint and sack provincial administrators if they failed to perform.
He said this would stop the duplication of duties by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) in appointing provincial administrators.
This is in line with the Alotau accord signed by all leaders of the government coalition.
“There is an underlying feeling that the provincial governors knew the situation on the ground and were better able to pick their men and women.
“Also, they must be senior civil servants who are able to work in concert, rather than in opposition, to the governors to implement projects.”
Sir Puka said other likely changes included the abolishing of DPM and the restricting of the PSC.
He said an ombudsman-type committee would also be established within the public service and would report directly to cabinet.