For Comptroller of Customs under a three years contract
COMPTROLLER of Customs, Jim Sutton whose three-year contract was terminated by the Australian Government last December, has been rehired by the cash-strapped Solomon Islands government for a salary package of nearly $5 million a year, documents obtained by Solomon Star have revealed.
The three-year contract which includes a monthly COVID-19 allowance of almost $157, 000 will cost taxpayers $13, 498,656.24.
The package is made up of a tax-free salary of SBD100,880 a fortnight or SBD2, 622, 880 a year, according to a print out of Mr. Sutton’s salary by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The Solomon Star has obtained a copy of the print out.
In addition, Mr. Sutton also receives a monthly COVID-19 allowance of $156, 389.34 or $1, 876, 672.08 a year.
By comparison, Solomon Islands’ nationals performing frontline duties during the COVID-19 pandemic were promised daily Covid allowance of $400 each at the beginning. But this has since been halved, according to sources.
Hundreds, possibly thousands of workers consisting of Police, Customs, Health and Immigration are still waiting to get their outstanding allowances settled, sources told Solomon Star yesterday.
Sources spoken to were at pains in trying to explain why such a huge allowance is paid to someone who never leaves the office to perform frontline duties.
“The man never goes out of the office, unlike his local staff who are at the airports or at other entry points to clear in-coming passengers or cargo. Why he was given such a huge fortnightly allowance is unbelievable,” some said.
Mr. Sutton has already drawn four salary payments so far this year – two each for January and February – totaling $403, 520. He has also drawn the $156, 389.34 COVID-19 allowance for the month of January, according to the print outs
Reports suggest Mr. Sutton’s three-year contract paid for by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Tarde [DFAT] was terminated last December on allegation of sexual harassment. Despite this, he returned to Honiara, arriving on 24th February this year.
According to those in the know, Mr. Sutton paid his own fare from Australia.
In addition to his salary, Mr. Sutton has a Government-issued vehicle as well as hotel accommodation at the Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara’s top hotel – all paid for by taxpayers.
“Upon his arrival and after going through quarantine, he immediately took up his role without any formal contract. Reports had it that he eventually signed the contract on the 28th February 2022,” those familiar with the arrangements, said.
At an executive meeting on 2nd March 2022, Mr. Sutton allegedly made a sarcastic remark to members of his executives, “bad luck for you the PS gave me three years”- a reference to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
Both men could not be contacted for comments yesterday.
Mr. Sutton’s new fortnightly salary is more than 20 times the Super Scale (SS3) – the normal salary level of a Comptroller, according to the Public Service Salary Scale.
It is not clear whether the Public Service Commission has a say in Mr. Sutton’s new salary package, which is certain to cause some rumblings within the government establishment.
By Alfred Sasako
Newsroom, Honiara
