OPPOSITION’s CALL ‘UNETHICAL’: PRIME MINISTER SOGAVARE

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the Opposition Leader’s statement calling on him to justify an unconfirmed list of political appointees of his coalition government as unethical.

In a government statement, Mr Sogavare said he is stunned that the former diplomat and permanent secretary had seen it proper to render his criticism against the government on an unofficial list of political appointments published by the media.

He said the action by the Opposition Leader in jumping to comment on an unofficial list of political appointees and calling on him for a justification leaves much to be desired from a former diplomat and permanent secretary.

Mr. Sogavare said he would like to expect the Opposition Leader as a former diplomat and permanent secretary to have the utmost regard for government processes, but his action speaks otherwise.

The Prime Minister said his Democratic Coalition for Change Government will be transparent about its political appointments in having their names and roles published after they are formalised.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said his DCC Government has nothing to hide about its political appointments.

He said in fact they are keen on having the names and roles of their political appointees published when all due government appointment requirements are completed.

Mr. Sogavare said all their political appointees are to be engaged on performance-based contracts for a term of one year which can be subjected to renewal once key performance indicators within their agreements of service are achieved.

The Prime Minister said his government’s political appointments reflect its seriousness about implementing its policy intentions during its tenure in office.

The East Choiseul MP said this country has demanded better services and development from the government for so long and his DCC Government is determined to deliver the demanded change.