The Public Service Commission (PSC) has reiterated that permanent secretary positions will be advertised and it is incumbent on all those interested to submit their applications, including incumbents whose contracts have been discontinued.
Chairman of PSC Luke Rokovada made this clarification following radio reports of the discontinuation of Mr Pene Baleinabuli’s tenure as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry.
“There will be other permanent secretaries whose contracts will be brought to an end once a suitable replacement has been identified to act on the position,” Mr Rokovada said in a media statement today.
“To be fair on the appointment of permanent secretaries, all positions will be advertised and Mr Baleinabuli, like other permanent secretaries whose contracts will be discontinued, are welcome to apply – we hope to complete all appointments within the next six months.
Citing Section 126 (1) of the 2013 Constitution, Mr Rokovada said the PSC has the powers “to appoint/remove permanent secretaries with the agreement of the Prime Minister.
“It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to choose the best person for the position.”
Mr Rokovada said under the previous government, some permanent secretary appointments were made during the months of November and December last year, while some were even appointed for their new contract to commence in April and May this year.
“This is most unusual and disrespectful to the incoming Prime Minister as these appointments were made on the eve of the elections.
“The Commission will be making an announcement in due course, and I can assure the nation that this will be done systematically, so the machinery of government is not disrupted.”
