MINISTER for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and Sports, Wesley Raminai says he has set the record straight following established processes when appointing new members to the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Governing Council.
Minister Raminai was referring to a recent media statement from the former NARI Council chairman Professor Chalapan Kaluwin, who alleged poor practices exercised in the appointments that replaced the old Council.
“Professor Chalapan Kaluwin’s term on the Council expired on 1 February, 2021 and for the other members of the council, their terms expired on 14 July, 2019,” Raminai said.
“As Minister responsible and acting in accordance with the powers bestowed on me, I followed proper relevant processes to appoint members in good faith.
“If the new council didn’t include him (Chalapan), he just needs to accept the fact that his services are no longer required, and he should move on.
“Professor Chalapan should refrain from bad-mouthing me for my decision and stop doubting the capacity and expertise of the new council members, some of whom are his colleagues,” Raminai said.
He said he wanted a new group of council members who have adopted his vision, which is in line with the Marape-Basil Government and they have been challenged to deliver on the objectives necessary for this country to benefit more from the agricultural sector.
“Many stakeholders and experts in this sector have been saying that we are not getting maximum benefits from this sector and the new council’s tasks include taking these on board and through appropriate research, rectify some of the issues that are impediments to improve the agricultural sector.
“The new council, which comprises of some highly qualified and experienced personnel, also draws together a wider variety of skillsets, which comes in handy as we look at commercializing agriculture,” he said.
