Minister: NEC has final say in appointments

PUBLIC Service Minister Elias Kapavore says the National Executive Council has the final say on the appointments of the heads of State agencies and provincial administrators.
Kapavore was responding to concerns raised by Simbu provincial executive council members regarding the appointment of a permanent administrator for the province.
The council chaired by Governor Michael Dua had recommended that current provincial administrator Joe Kunda’s term be extended for another term because of his outstanding performance.
The recommendation was rejected by Cabinet which instead instructed the Department of Personnel Management to advertise the position.
Dua said the advertisement was improper because former Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali had written to the council to either retain the current administrator or call for a new one.
“And the PEC made a decision to retain Joe Kunda,” he said.
“The same department under a new secretary (now) decides to advertise which is very contrary to the earlier direction.”
Dua said the PEC (provincial executive council) had complied with the rules and regulations guiding merit-based appointments and followed the advice of the department and maintains that there is no vacancy.
Kapavore said PEC made the recommendations, NEC deliberated on it and decided on the final outcome.