Dr Vele Pat Ila’va

Infighting within Agriculture Department

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.

Final adjournment for Dr Ila’ava case

Dr Ila’ava is facing nine counts of official corruption and 11 counts of abuse of office. He is currently on K2,000 bail.

He first appeared in the Committal Court on February 27.

The Committal Court has adjourned his case to May 28. The case would have been in court for three months by then.

The final adjournment was given for police to compile and produce their hand-up brief.

This document will be used by the court to weigh out the evidence against Dr Ila’ava.