By ESWIN PLESIO
OPPOSITION Leader James Nomane has urged the Government to address the administrative crisis in Simbu Province following the issuance of an arrest warrant against the provincial administrator over alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Nomane said the District Court issued the warrant on September 10, but the administrator had allegedly evaded arrest and failed to appear before the court.
He questioned whether the Simbu Governor and Provincial Executive Council could suspend or sideline the administrator under Section 74 of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments to allow the legal process to proceed.
Mr Nomane also asked whether Simbu MP and Cabinet Minister Francis Kikin could submit a proposal to the National Executive Council to suspend the provincial government and appoint a new administrator if the existing administration could not address the situation.
He said the province could not afford administrative instability and alleged mismanagement of public funds, particularly during the current El Niño crisis, when communities needed effective leadership and essential services.
Prime Minister James Marape said police were responsible for executing the warrant and urged the Police Commissioner to ensure it was carried out without fear or favour.
Mr Marape said amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments had strengthened the powers of provincial governments to manage their administrations.
He said provincial governors and executive councils could initiate the appropriate processes concerning provincial administrators and submit recommendations to the Department of Personnel Management and the Public Services Commission.
The Prime Minister said the Government would act on matters referred through the proper legal and administrative procedures.
He urged the Simbu provincial government to follow the law if its administrator was implicated in the matter.
Mr Marape thanked the Opposition Leader for raising the issue, stressing that provincial administrations must remain accountable and ensure public services were delivered to the people.