By EDDIE OSIFELO
PERMANENT Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Andrew Nihopara is still to tender his resignation letter.
Nihopara is one of the high-profile public servants in the government who refused to take his jab before the deadline of the DCGA’s ‘No Jab, No Job Policy’ on January 31.
“I am still waiting for my termination letter from Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Public Service base on my contract and conditions,” he said.
Nihopara said he decided not to take the vaccination based on his spiritual conviction and medical grounds.
He was first appointed as PS of MCT in 2017 before his reappointed in July this year.
The ‘No Jab, No Job Policy’ has been announced by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare since 31st August 2021.
The policy covers any employee of the national or provincial governments as well as state owned enterprises.
Since late last year, most public servants who refused to get their jabs have received half pay and expected to be terminated from their jobs if they do not get their vaccination by the end of January.
Island Sun understands Chairman of Leadership Code Commission, Solomon Kalu and Director of National Training Unit Curtis Kalu are among the officials that refused to get the jab.
Kalu, who held the position for two terms from 2016-2019 and 2020 to 2022, recently reserved his comment because the Nominating Committee is still to make their decision.
He said his contract should be completed by the end of this year.
However, Island Sun understands LCC has already advertised the post in the media.
In the meantime, Mrs Kalu reportedly tendered her resignation because she refused to be vaccinated.
Despite her resignation, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) still gave her time to reconsider her decision.
