FANEGA NOW NEW PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANING
The Permanent Secretary for Finance, Shadrach Fanega has been reshuffled to the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination.
Mr Fanega’s new posting was announced via a government circular yesterday.
He is being replaced by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Fred Fakarii.
The reshuffle comes amidst reports he was sacked in relation to a delay in allowing a multi-million dollar payout to Members of Parliament.
Media reports last week had put the amount of the terminal grants at $20 million, and at $50 million.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has published vacancy notices for eight Permanent Secretary posts in local newspapers – including vacancy notices for the position of Secretary to Cabinet, and Secretary to Prime Minister.
Ministries with vacant Permanent Secretary posts include Finance and Treasury; Rural Development; Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs; Home Affairs; Fisheries and Marine Resources; and Forestry and Research.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet says former Permanent Secretary for Finance, Shadrach Fanega has not been sacked.
In a statement today, the Office says contrary to media reports of an alleged sacking, there is no truth in the reports.
The Secretary to Cabinet, James Remobatu has also come out to explain the changes, saying there was no sacking.
In the statement, Mr Remobatu says these are merely transfers and posting exercises which is permitted under section 128 (2) of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet confirms, the reshuffle of Fred Fakarii and Shadrach Fanega saying this is a minor reshuffle to permanent Secretaries that was effective this week.
In the statement, the Office says the Prime Minister made the reshuffle after consulting with the Public Service Commission.
The statement says, the transfers will remain until there is a change in their terms of engagement and their contract lapses, or until the Public Service Commission makes any other advise or decision on the matter – whichever occurs first.