Waipo told to leave
The National, Tuesday February 9th, 2016
By MICHAEL RICKY GUBA
CORRECTIONAL Services Commissioner Michael Waipo is disappointed with the manner his reported sacking has been handled by the Government, saying the department is in a “very sad situation”.
He is disappointed because:
l he had expected CS Minister Jim Simatab “to have the courtesy” to tell him of the National Executive Council decision to have him replaced;
l he is yet to be told of why he has to be replaced, thus denying him the right to defend himself against any allegation or complaint against him; and,
l After serving for 40 years, he has to leave the service in such a manner, and being told by sources that Chief Inspector Bernard Nepo will replace him, while more senior officers in the department were ignored.
“After 40 years, the last two weeks has been the most damaging to me. My minister (Simatab) should have the courtesy to inform me that I will be terminated as the commissioner,” he said in a statement.
“I should have been given the honour to know why I should be terminated, and respond to allegations levelled against me. Sadly I was not given that opportunity. I am also saddened that I was not given the support (by) my minister.”
He admitted however that he was briefed on Friday by First Secretary Ted Sitapai about the change.
He suspected that something was amiss when some “rogue” officers started celebrating last Thursday after they got word of the change in the CS leadership.
“They started celebrating the appointment as some sort of a tribal victory,” he said.
“Since (last) Thursday to Sunday, the rogue officers have been celebrating right in front of the Correctional officers here at Bomana, CS Training College and Kerepia Barracks. Officers were heard shouting and calling me all kinds of names.”
But he will accept whatever the Government decision is, which “I will always follow”.
“I am happy to leave. When I took office, I did not use guns against any officer. I did not threaten any officer. I promoted officers right across the board for the first time with the engagement of an Independent Promotion Board,” he said.
“I have brought stability and united all officers from different provinces and the four regions.”
He suspects that there could be “influential individuals with business interests funding this move”.
“If this is true, then corruption has already grown root and spreading itself into the PNG Correctional Services,” he said.
“I have done great service to the Government and the people. I have contributed faithfully to the PNG Correctional Services and will continue to do so up to the day my contract will be terminated by the Government.”