DailyPost Administrator posted on January 13, 2010 06:27
Acting Public Service Commission Secretary General Kanam Wilson has called on the Vanua’aku Pati to set an example to other political parties by accepting whatever recommendation provided by the panel appointed to screen the applicants for the position of town clerk.
Mr Wilson, who is a member of the panel made the comment yesterday, fearing their recommendation may be set aside by VP because of the MOU signed between the political parties running the council.
“I think VP, as the most senior political party in Vanuatu should set an example to other parties by showing more concern for the development of Port Vila city.
“Port Vila city has the major bulk of investors coming into the country. It is important to have qualified people to look after its affairs,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson stressed that the Port Vila Municipal council should have qualified people in the administration who are not politically motivated.
While he announced that the panel will meet on Wednesday this week to screen the 18 applications Mr Wilson said that it is not the first time a panel has been appointed to screen applications for the post.
“I was in the previous panel appointed by the former council led by Paul Avock and our recommendation was shunted aside by his council because of the MOU signed by the coalition and they chose someone else.”
Wilson said as a result in the last four years the council has appointed and fired three town clerks. As a result two commissioners have been also appointed.
In the recent MOU signed it was agreed VP would be given the position.
An urgent council meeting last Wednesday resolved that VP must have just one candidate for town clerk position.
But the panel chairman said the panel will do their selection according to the public service recruitment procedures which is very transparent and without any political influence.
“Our selection will also be based on the criteria set out by the council and again it’s up to them.
“But if they decide otherwise then this would just be a waste of time and money”, said Wilson.
He warned that the current situation has brought into question the future of the council compared to the provincial councils.
“When you compare the administration of the six provincial councils, they were better compared to the two municipal councils. If we are not careful the council will be run down by politicians”, he warned.
An urgent council meeting last Wednesday also agreed that a new town clerk must be a resident and a taxpayer of Port Vila.
If this criteria was respected some of the VP applicants may be disqualified automatically.
- Johnety Jerety