Tsaka’s post queried

WITH the PNG Rugby Football League annual general meeting in Lae tomorrow lobbying has begun in earnest for the top post.
A letter has gone out to the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) querying the eligibility of incumbent chairman, Sandis Tsaka, to recontest the position as the Southern Confederate named their contender for the post (see other story).
On March 18 a law firm, Giruakonda Solicitors and Barristers, wrote to DPM Secretary Taias Sansan questioning whether or not Tsaka can hold down his current post as administrator for Enga as well as continue as chairman of PNGRFL.
Giruakonda states in its letter that it holds instructions from presidents of the Southern Confederate Rugby Leagues to make the inquiry. The question put to DPM is whether or not Tsaka is eligible to hold both positions given that the public service post is a senior management position that comes under the ambit of the Constitution Section 27. Sansan had not responded at time of printing last night.
The letter contends that Section 27 of the Constitution (leadership code) holds, in part, that a person occupying public office has a duty to not place himself in a position which could have conflict of interests or might be compromised in the discharge of his public and official duties. The letter contends, on behalf of the Southern Confederate, that whilst he is administrator of Enga, Tsaka has a huge responsibility in light of current law and order issues besetting the province.
However, Tsaka urged the Southern Confederate and their candidate to contest and win the trust and confidence of PNGRFL stakeholders.
“It’s a free country and I welcome their enquiry,” Tsaka told The National yesterday.
“I have been chairman whilst being the deputy provincial administrator and recently as provincial administrator. My predecessors before me in late Don Fox, Gary Juffa and John Numapo were esteemed professionals with fulltime jobs that served as chairman’s. The real question should be ‘Do I possess the acumen and competence to do the job, and do it well?” The PNGRFL’s eight AGM is due to convene at the Lae International Hotel tomorrow at 10am.
Members to attend are the 50 affiliate and associate leagues for the 2023 season.
Tsaka was re-elected for a third term in 2020 during the AGM in Port Moresby for a term of three years. A AGM was supposed to be held last year but that was deferred to this year following a special general meeting in March.