Opposition MP describes Sogavare as a double standard player

Marovo M-P Snyder Rini has accused the Prime Minister of playing double standard by handpicking well-known government critic, Dr John Roughan to be Secretary to Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Rini says the engagement of Dr Roughan by Prime Minister Sogavare is a deviation from his own administrations rule of good governance , accountability and transparency.

He says the Prime Minister's action does not fall in line with public service procedures and processes.

Mr Rini says the Prime Minister's action is unprocedural because he made the appointment well before applications for permanent secretary posts, including that of Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet closed on June 9th.

He says because the Prime Ministers Office had advertised the post, it should give all applicants the same treatment.

The Opposition MP adds that public service processes and procedures stipulate that applications are scrutinised and applicants interviewed before appointments are made.

Meanwhile, well place sources in the government say the hand-picking of Dr Roughan for the Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, outside the normal recruitment procedures of the Public Service is illegal.

But when contacted, Attorney General Primo Afeau would not comment on the matter, saying he had no background knowledge of the appointment, and that his office has not been consulted for legal advise on the matter.

Mr Afeau says all recruitment for the Public Service has to go through the normal procedures, but says the Public Service Commission has the jurisdiction to waive the normal procedure of recruiting Permanent Secretaries.

SIBC could not get either the Prime Minister or the Public Service Commission to confirm if it had allowed for the appointment of Dr Roughan.

source: SIBC (http://www.sibconline.com.sb/main.asp)