PNGSF suspends 20 staff

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) acting chief executive Micah James says the suspension of more than 20 staff members last week was part of their “cleansing process” to meet the expectations of the Government.
He told The National yesterday that the suspensions followed an internal audit that was conducted six months ago which identified administrative oversights which were being rectified.
James said the suspended staff members were given show-cause notices and as part of the process, they are required to respond to those charges before the disciplinary committee.
“Just like any other government agencies carrying out their cleansing process to position their organisation to meet the expectations of our Government to take back PNG, PNGSF is doing the same,” he said.
“We had conducted our internal finance and human resources audit six months ago in consultation with the Department of Personnel Management and other relevant government agencies.
“The audit identified many discrepancies, abnormalities and administrative oversights and we are now going through the process to correct them.
“It is part of the process for the suspended officers to response to those charges before the disciplinary committee deliberates on their responses against the charges.” James said suspensions were based on recommendations provided to him in accordance with the public service disciplinary process.
He said it was an internal matter and urged the public not to blow the issue out of proportion via mainstream or social media.
“The cleansing process is to reinforce accountability, transparency and good governance as well as improving the conduct of our officers to strengthen our existing systems,” James said.
“Also to further ensure that committed public servants continue to drive the development agenda of our Government in the delivery of much-needed goods and services.”
While he did not specify the charges and grounds on which the officers were suspended, James said it was time the organisation carried out the cleansing process to help eradicate the “no-care attitude in the public service”.