The Department of Community Development, Religion and Youth is in a state of confusion. A good majority of funds have been misapplied in the past two years, pending the court battle over the top post.
Court-reinstated Secretary, Joseph Klapat, told EMTV News today in an exclusive interview, that coordination between offices in Port Moresby and the other 21 provinces has been very poor since 2011.
He was reinstated by the national court last Friday, however, the National Executive Council, rather revoked his reinstatement and appointed his Deputy, Anna Solomon, as the Interim Secretary.
Last Friday, Mr. Klapat was reinstated by the national court as the Secretary for Community Development, Religion and Youth.
This followed two years of court battle with his Deputy Ms. Solomon.
The tide turned when his reinstatement was revoked by the NEC, placing Ms. Solomon as the Interim Secretary.
Mr. Klapat disappointedly said both the NEC decision and the court decision have stirred up more confusion. He admitted that since the court battle began in 2011, there was a split in the department.
Several more offices were established in Port Moresby, whilst many public servants in other provinces, including Port Moresby, were on holidays but were on payroll most times.
Mr Klapat told EMTV News that he himself is confused, and has also suffered a great deal over these years. He hopes a favorable decision is made soon, to settle this matter once and for all.
previous post