PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the Opposition Leader’s statement calling on him to justify an unconfirmed list of political appointees of his Democratic Coalition for Change Government as “unethical”.
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.
“The action by the Opposition Leader in jumping to comment on an unofficial list of political appointees from the media and calling on me for a justification leaves much to be desired from a former diplomat and permanent secretary,” Mr Sogavare said yesterday.
“I would like to expect the Opposition Leader as a former diplomat and permanent secretary to have utmost regard for government processes but his action speaks otherwise.”
Mr Sogavare said his Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government will be transparent about its political appointments in having their names and their roles published after they are formalised.
“My DCC Government has nothing to hide about its political appointments.
“As a matter of fact we are keen on having the names and roles of our political appointees published when all due government appointment requirements of are completed,” he explained.
“All our political appointees are to be engaged on performance-based contracts for a term of one year which can be subject 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.
“This country has demanded better services and development from the government for so long and my DCC Government is determined to bring the demanded change.”
