BY GEORGINA KEKEA
THE outgoing Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) will soon be taking up his new position as Solomon Islands High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland. However at this time, it is not yet known who the new Chairman will be.
Speaking to the media on his arrival, Prime Minister Rick Hou says at this point in time there is no replacement for the position left vacant by Eliam Tangirongo. PM Hou says proper procedures and processes will be adhered to at this time.
However Island Sun understands that upon Tangirongo’s new appointment, three commissioners of the PSC will also cease to work when their contracts lapse this week.
Allan Billy Arafoa, Nanette Tutua and Tione Bugotu were sworn in as commissioners in May 2015 on a three year contract.
The Public Service Commission is responsible for the recruitment of public officers and plays an important role in the governance system of the country.
In the country’s constitution (Section 116) it stated that only PSC has the power to make appointments to public offices (including power to confirm appointments) and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices is vested in the Public Service Commission amongst other roles and responsibilities.
According to the country’s constitution, whenever the office of the Chairman of Public Service Commission is vacant, one of the other members of the PSC as the Governor General shall appoint may act in the office of the Chairman.
However since the contract of these three commissioners is also coming to an end, Island Sun presumes the Governor General will be waiting for the Prime Minister to advise him on the circumstances surrounding the Public Service Commission.
