Kua: I will not interfere with secretary’s appointment

National

PETROLEUM Minister Kerenga Kua told Parliament that he will not interfere with the appointment of a permanent secretary for the department.
Kua was responding to questions by Opposition Leader and Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch on the permanent appointment of a secretary for the Petroleum department.
He said the position was advertised before he took office and he was in regular contact with the Public Service Minister Westly Nukundj.
“I will not interfere with the process; you follow the process and once the public service commission approves (a candidate) I will sit with Cabinet ministers to endorse the appointment based on the recommendations.
“We must understand that all the applicants plus the incumbent acting secretary have committed their services to the department through the rank and file so I will not interfere with the process.
“I have been in touch with the Minister (Nukundj) daily and I want to assure the opposition leader that the process is at an advanced stage so in a short while he will put short list to Cabinet and they will make a decision,” Kua said.
“I’m happy to work with anyone, I have no preferences.”