Selection of officers thorough

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By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
PUBLIC Service Minister Elias Kapavore says the appointment of provincial administrators follows a stringent process, including verification of medical and criminal records, and submission of their names by the proper authority.
He said the four-year contract they were offered could be terminated at any time if their performance was not up to expectation.
He told The National yesterday that the department had received “suspicious” lists supposedly from provincial executive councils (PEC) recommending people to the job.
“We have come across shortlists of candidates which was done on the streets (outside the PEC). The lists had forged signatures of PEC members,” Kapavore said.
“That’s why sometimes the appointment of the permanent provincial administrators takes long because the short-list had to be checked thoroughly.
“The State Solicitor and his team also check the list recommended by the PEC.
“They check if the position was advertised in the media, and when.
“They have to check if recommended candidates have no criminal records, and have a good medical report from doctors authorised by the Health Department.”
He said they also checked if it was an official provincial executive council meeting which recommended the names.
Kapavore, also the chairman of the ministerial executive appointment committee, said the appointment of provincial administrators was merit-based and highly confidential.
“We the committee do not interfere with the selection process,” he said.
“We only see the short list.
“Before that, we don’t know who had applied.
“The selection process is so confidential that no information is leaked out until the NEC confirms the appointment.”
Kapavore said those who did not perform faced sacking.
“When they sign the four-year contract, it does not mean that they will be employed for four years when they sign their contract,” he said.
“They can be terminated after 12 months if they do not perform their duties according to their key performance indicators.”
The performance of provincial administrators are being closely monitored by the provincial executive councils and the departments of personnel management and finance.
“Non-performance according to the Public Servants Management Act is a serious offence,” Kapavore said. “They can be disciplined or terminated on performance alone.”
Meanwhile, of the 20 provincial administrators, 12 have been “substantively appointed”.
Eight are in acting positions – two of which are currently suspended.
He also told Parliament yesterday that Cabinet would appoint a new administrator for Morobe to replace Sheila Harou who has been acting in the position for some time.
He said provincial administrators could only hold acting positions up to three months.
But Western’s acting provincial administrator has been there for four years now.
Kapavore said Simbu provincial administrator Joe Kunda would also continue in an acting position.
“The same also goes for Eastern Highlands province,” he said.