Leaders on trial must leave job

By HELEN TARAWA
Government departmental heads and provincial administrators with cases that are being referred to the police are required by law to step aside and deal with their issues away from the jobs they hold, Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali says.
In response to the current situation with the Oro administration, Kali told The National that contractual agreements provided for the officer responsible to step aside to challenge the case.
“It would be conflict of interest for the officer to be holding a public office and be pursuing his or her case, especially if there are serious allegations involved,” he said.
“You cannot use your office to defend your case and it is by law that I have written to the officer responsible asking him to step aside and allow for due diligence.”
He explained that similar situations happened with administrators in Eastern Highlands and Western where the processes had to be followed.
Kali said contractual obligations require officers holding positions of high office in the public service and the government to diligently carry out their duties of responsibility.
He confirmed that former Oro administrator Sem Vegogo had to be sidelined and an acting position was created for substantive officer Trevor Magea.
Kali said in consultation with Governor Gary Juffa, which is by law a requirement, three names were submitted and Magea was selected at the acting administrator.
He said Magea would be acting in the position until such time when a permanent appointment was made through the normal process.