Infighting within Agriculture Department

Infighting in the Department of Agriculture has the secretary bombarded with various criminal charges.

Minister for Agriculture, Benny Allan, made this known in parliament yesterday.

The Minister was responding to questions raised by the member for Karamui-Nomane, Geoffrey Kama, who believes the secretary is being distracted from his duties.

Minister Allan attributed the complaints against Secretary, Dr Vele Pat Ila’va, to former officers.

He further said the position of the secretary for agriculture will elapse next month and the department is working closely with the minister for public service to advertise the position.

Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary, Dr Ila’va, is facing nine counts of official corruption and 11 counts of abuse of office. He is currently on K2,000 bail.

A final adjournment was recently given by the Waigani Committal Court for the criminal case against him.

(Minister for Agriculture, Benny Allan)

Author: 
Charmaine Poriambep