Tolopa is acting lands secretary

The National Executive Council has appointed Oswald Tolopa as the acting secretary for the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.

Lands Minister Justin Tkatchenko revealed this yesterday, stating that Tolopa was appointed last week.

Tkatchenko said the appointment is in line with his focus to implement significant changes within the Department.

“Mr Tolopa has taken the reins already, he’s been gazetted and I look forward to working with him for the benefit of reform and change in the Lands Department,” said Tkatchenko.

Minister Tkatchenko announced that while Tolopa is acting, they will advertise the Departmental Head role as well as another 11 positions which have been on acting status for years.

Tkatchenko announced that there are internal investigations being carried out on management and staff and one of the immediate tasks of Tolopa is to carry this out.

The Minister said it is not a witch hunt but to weed out individuals who are practising corruption.

“With the new acting secretary, his role will be to clean up the department of these corrupt practises and these corrupt individuals and staff which have already been highlighted and detailed to me.”

Tolopa has worked with the Department for 25 years, starting out as a researcher in the policy and legal division and eventually making his way to deputy secretary.

Forming acting secretary, Tiri Wanga, reverts to his former role.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole