Bata'anisia refutes claim of Solomons proposal for PNG to meet new police commissioner salary

By Clifford Faiparik

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Bernard Bata’anisia yesterday denied the proposal for PNG to fund the Solomon Islands new Police Commissioner’s salary if a Papua New Guinean is appointed.

“Yes, there had been discussions held between Solomon Islands foreign affairs minister Paterson Oti and PNG Government officials in Port Moresby last weekend about a Papua New Guinean becoming the commissioner, but the salary is yet to be discussed as the ousted police commissioner Australian Shane Castles’ salary was paid by the Australian government.”

Mr Bata’anisia denied reports that the Solomon Islands government had already proposed to PNG that the new Solomon Islands police commissioner’s salary be paid by PNG if a Papua New Guinean was appointed.

Earlier, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said a recently retired PNG police commissioner was on the shortlist for the top cop job. Although Sogavare did not name the person, it is known that former PNG police commissioner Sam Inguba has been approached for the job.

Source: PNG National