MP calls for probe on ex-CEO

National
Source:
The National,Monday July 4th, 2016

 By TAUNA GEORGE 
Samarai-Murua MP Gordon Wesley wants  the Milne Bay administration to clarify payments being made to a senior public servant who had resigned to contest a by-election.
Wesley raised this concern following claims that the former chief executive officer of Esa’ala district, Henry Larry, remained on the payroll despite resigning three months ago to contest the Samarai-Murua Open seat, which Wesley won.
“What baffles me is that Larry is still on the payroll. How can someone remain on the payroll when he or she has resigned?” Wesley asked.
“Where is transparency, good governance and rule of law?”
Wesley said according to law, any public servant wishing to contest the election had to submit their resignation six months before contesting.
“There could be something fishy going on so the provincial administration needs to clarify.”
However, provincial administrator Michael Kape said Larry was no longer the CEO and that he was not employed by the administration.
“I had endorsed his resignation but he still remains on the payroll because we have yet to pay out his full entitlements,” Kape said.
“According to the Department of Personnel Management, Larry remains on the government payroll until and when he receives his full entitlements.”
Kape said Larry was not attached in any way to the district administration.
“I have appointed a new CEO, Dimika Doula, to take up the role soon.”
Wesley said this could amount to misappropriation of public funds and abuse of government processes because Larry was not contributing to the government system  yet he was still being paid.
“I will not settle until I get answers from the administration because this is corruption within the public service,” he claimed.

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