Webster ‘sacked’ as IPBC chief

 By MALUM NALU

INDEPENDENT Public Business Corporation chairman Dr Thomas Webster (pictured) has been removed from the position, according to sources.

He recently made statements critical of the Government in his other role as a National Research Institute director.

It is understood that his removal from the IPBC was endorsed by the National Executive Council last Friday with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill signing the instruments on Monday.

Webster’s removal was confirmed by a senior IPBC official yesterday although Webster said he had not been informed of the decision.

“The prime minister has to sign the decision and it will then have to be gazetted to make it official,” he said.

Webster had meetings yesterday morning with his NRI research staff on on-going  activities.

“I am not aware of my sacking as you put it as chair of IPBC or director of NRI,” he said.

“The appointment as chair of IPBC is the prerogative of government. If the National Executive Council revokes my appointment then I will accept that decision. 

“My fulltime job is as director of NRI. The terms and conditions of my employment with the institute as director is overseen by the NRI council and as of today, I am not aware of any moves to sack me.”

It is understood that the new IPBC chairman is Paul Nerau, while the new board member is Dr Mosey Sao, a senior adviser to State Enterprises Minister Ben Micah.