Ipambonj’s posting clarified

By GLORIA BAUAI
MOROBE administrator Bart Ipambonj will continue occupying the position in an acting capacity for the next three months, says Governor Ginson Saonu.
Saonu’s office confirmed this saying this would allow the province’s administration to operate while new appointments were organised post-election. An official speaking to The National said this position could not be left vacant, especially during General Election 2022 (GE22).
“We need someone to ensure all administrative matters are in order for this period while waiting for the process of provincial administrator (PA) appointment to take place.”
In the meantime, the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) said the process of PA appointing an acting for Morobe had been started and a submission was before National Executive Council (NEC).
Department Secretary Taies Sansan clarified that DPM could only facilitate the process of appointment and not the actual appointment.
Sansan said the screening and appointment would be a thorough and transparent process.
“The executive appointment process for agency heads is merit based,” she said.
“The process of appointing a PA starts when there is a vacancy; DPM advertises the position and conducts pre-screening.
“Five names are recommended to the Public Service Commission who then does its due diligence which includes background checks, health checks, police clearance and others before it forwards a short list of three names to the provincial executive council (PEC).
“PEC goes through the short list and makes a recommendation to the NEC and NEC appoints the PA.”