Public angered over DA’s removal

 By GABRIEL FITO

THE alleged removal of Wewak district administrator Martin Maingu from office by MP Dr Moses Manwau last week is causing disharmony among district public servants and local level government chairmen and ward members.

Maingu was advised by Manwau of his sacking after he refused to endorse a K40,000 claim, a commitment made by Manwau for Sepik students studying in various universities.

In an interview with The National last Friday, Maingu said he refused to entertain the claim because it did not have a joint district planning and budget priorities committee resolution.

However, Manwau said on local radio last Thursday evening, as JDPBPC chairman, he had the authority to decide on how the money should be spent rather than public servants or the JDPBPC to dictateto him on how he should spend the money. 

Maingu was still in his office last Thursday and Friday, even after being advised of his removal last Wednesday, saying that Manwau had no powers to either sack, suspend or sideline him.

The district administrator said he could only be sacked by provincial administrator as he was a public servant and this would have to be done through provisions in the Public Service Management Act.

Manwau could not be reached for comments at the weekend as he was out of the province but according to a statement he released on the radio last week, he would appoint a new district administrator when he returned from Port Moresby on Monday.

Deputy Governor and Wewak Island president Toby Samek, three LLG presidents, several ward members and members of the public spoke in support of the district administrator’s refusal to endorse payment indicating that Maingu took the right approach. 

The presidents said the MP should not use his political power to interfere with the administration when proper procedures as required by the Public Finance Management Act to obtain funds were not followed.