Health and lands workers locked out

EMPLOYEES of the departments of health and lands were locked out of their offices in Port Moresby yesterday, reportedly because of the non-payment of rental.
They were locked out by real estate agent Ashton Brunswick on behalf of the landlord Nambawan Supa.
A notice issued by the health assistant secretary Dr Paison Dakulala yesterday advised all staff of the department, donors and project partners that the building was locked by Brunswick in the afternoon and that staff were to return to work at 7.45am today.
Attempts by The National to get further information from the departments and Nambawan Supa rental officers regarding the situation were unsuccessful.
But a Health Department officer said the government allocation committee under the departments of personnel management and finance were responsible for the payment of rental fees.
He said they were advised that the outstanding rental was to be paid yesterday.
He said the Health Department paid for electricity and water separately.