Sacking of public servants ‘justified’

 WESTERN Highlands provincial administrator Joseph Neng has clarified that the recent sacking of 10 public servants was made under a “revised structure in consultation with the Department of Personnel Management”.

He was commenting on the week-long protest by the 10 officers in Mt Hagen demanding an explanation on why they were sacked.

He said no one was on contract basis with the provincial government under the revised structure as approved by the personnel management department on March 24.

“The reason is clear. I based my move on the revised structure and issued them termination letters on Friday,” he said.

He said under the law, no one was attached to any position or worked on a contract basis because positions had been advertised, which the public servants were well aware of.

“The positions have been advertised and they should apply for them,” he said.

“As the provincial administrator, I can make appointments until the normal selections on positions advertised are occupied.

“We are receiving applications and I’m sure that what I’m doing here is based on the law and nothing is wrong with it.”

Neng said he was just following the revised structure and that his job wasto ensure effective service delivery.

He said the sacking was in the best interest of the people and the province.

“I’ve not been influenced by others. I based by decision on the structure and powers given by the Department of Personnel Management,” Neng said.