‘Recycled’ workers to be put under microscope

Reports by HELEN TARAWA
Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko will be directing an investigation into “recycled” employees in a bid to clean up the department.
Tkatchenko said that in his briefing he has found out that employees who have been suspended or terminated have been reinstated.
“What we have found is that we are having recycled corrupt individuals and staff going back to either their substantive positions or positions within the department where they should have gone long time ago.
“All those people that have been suspended or terminated that have been reinstated will be reinvestigated and reassessed,” he said.
Tkatchenko said there would be a special fraud and complaints unit set up within the department and would consist of independent people from outside of the department.
“This is not to do an investigation, it is more to collect information from the public on all those complaints that have not been addressed for many years of fraudulent activates, whether they are in the department or outside the department,” Tkatchenko said.
“We will start from the bottom up. For me I’m going into the department without fear or favour.
“I don’t know any of the staff, I am totally neutral, so for me it’s a perfect opportunity to make the change and make the difference.”
“I have been given this enormous task by the prime minister to clean up the department and to finally get a positive perception of dealings with land in PNG.
“It’s not going to be easy. It will take a good five years to get that done,” Tkatchenko said.
“It’s not going to happen overnight but we will put the systems and process in place with the right people to make it happen.”