‘Tough choice for PM’
By ANDREW FANASIA
GOVERNMENT insiders have claimed that Robson Djokovic is eyeing the Chief of Staff position within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) as appointment of political appointees continues.
Djokovic who is the nephew of current Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is a former political appointee.
“This might be a tough decision for the PM to again appoint his nephew or choose someone different with good qualification to be his Chief of Staff,” our insiders said.
When asked why the Prime Minister would want to appoint his nephew for the Chief of Staff post, insiders said Djokovic was very instrumental in setting up the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).
“At the moment Djokovic is one of the very key players in the Sogavare led government who has been working hard to keep the DCGA intact and moving forward.
“There is high chance he will be appointed as the Chief of Staff in the OPMC,” the insiders told this paper yesterday.
But government insiders further disclosed Djokovic has a dodgy record when he was a political appointee during the Sogavare regime in 2007 and 2017.
“Djokovic was blamed for the downfall of the Sogavare governments in 2007 and 2017,” insiders said.
One insider said in 2017 he was heavily criticised by certain leaders and claimed to interfere with Ministers’ responsibilities.
Djokovic denied those claims.
“He was also heavily criticised and mocked on the floor of the parliament during a vote of no confidence against Sogavare by some leaders in 2017.
“Djokovic is a very divisive figure,” one insider said.
According to the sources within the OPMC, the Chief of Staff is someone who is willing to drive the government policies without interference and causing disharmony within the political circle of the current government.
A former politician told this paper on anonymity that while people might appreciate some of the political appointments the Prime Minister must be aware that some Political Appointees are mere opportunists who are just looking for opportunities to feed on government coffers.
Attempts to get comments from Mr Djokovic or the Prime Minister Press Secretariat were unsuccessful yesterday.
However, comments are being sought.
