Kramer faces Pagen in tribunal

CHIEF Ombudsman Commissioner Richard Pagen says those people who are employed under the district development authorities (DDAs) are political staff and not public servants.
He said this when responding to Madang MP Bryan Kramer during cross-examination of exhibits provided to the leadership tribunal by the office of the Public Prosecutor.
Kramer represented himself yesterday in the tribunal appointed to look into allegations of misconduct in office against him.
“For the well-being of the people working in the Madang DDA’s office, they will have to comply with the Public Management Act,” Pagen told Kramer.
He said to employ anyone in any position created in the DDA structure, that employment needed to be approved by the Department of Personnel Management.
“The DDA structure needs to be approved by the Department of Personnel Management so that a position number is given to the public servant,” Pagen said.
“Madang DDA must have a structure that needs to be approved by the Department of Personnel Management and not the leader to establish it without any approval.”
Kramer questioned Pagen if all that he had said was from his own opinion.
Pagen responded that these were not from his opinion but from the findings submitted in the statement of records.
Kramer also questioned Pagen about the source of documents as presented in the statement of record exhibits.
Pagen said: “The entire documents were produced by one relevant source and they are all reliable for this tribunal.”
Kramer then asked Pagen to point out where he had spent on funeral expenses.
Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin responded to Kramer and stated that he should base his arguments on the submissions on allegation of misappropriation of Madang District Service Improvement Funds (DSIP) and not to talk about the funeral expenses as it comes under the administrative cost.
The leadership tribunal continues today.