The National Executive Council has appointed Luther Sipison as the Acting Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning.
Announcing the appointment today, Lands Minister Benny Allen welcomed Sipison and congratulated him for his appointment.
His appointment was effective as of Dec 10, 2015 and will be acting in the position until March 2, 2016. Allen added that the NEC has also directed the Secretary for the Department of Personal Management John Kali to advertise the position so that any citizen of PNG can apply.
Sipison will now take over from the former secretary Romney Kila Pat after he was sidelined by the NEC regarding series of allegations laid against him.
Allen said 15 allegations were raised against Kila Pat where six are of substance that allows for his termination.
However, Allen thanked Kila Pat for his contributions to the government and the Lands Department and described him as a hardworking secretary who work hard to bring the department to the next level.
He said some of those allegations were not Kila Pat’s doings but the officers.
He further explained that because Kila Pat was the head of the department, he was blamed for all the allegations.
Meanwhile, Allen urged the staff of the department to work with the new acting secretary until a permanent secretary is appointed.