HCC terminates controversial Clerk’s contract
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
THE Honiara City Council (HCC) Executive Committee has terminated the contract of Rence Sore as City Clerk.
Deputy Mayor Francis Idu told Island Sun yesterday the decision was reached on Tuesday, with Mr Sore receiving the termination letter yesterday.
Sore is being investigated over allegations of corruption. However, Idu said HCC executive were in one-mind to get rid of him.
Sore did not return phone calls made to him last night for comment.
Deputy Mayor Idu said the executive is doing what former Mayor, Wilson Mamae hesitated to do.
“Seven Councillors have decided to terminated Sore after the Councillors Committee members meeting on Tuesday 6th April 2021 held at the HCC Chamber decide to terminate Sore’s contract as the Clerk.”
Idu said the decision is based on the grounds that there is sufficient evidence to terminate the City Clerk; one of the main reasons is illegal sale of Council land PN. 192010-33.
“HCC Legal team stressed that any decision to terminate the City Clerk must come with good grounds to avoid any repercussion.”
Idu said despite this the executive committee favoured terminating the City Clerk with immediate effect.
“There were two options that were considered, and that is either to suspend the City Clerk and allow for investigations to be carried out or to immediately terminate the Clerk.
“We the executive committee’s decision now is to terminate the appointment of the City Clerk immediately.
“During the discussion on the motion put forward to terminate the Clerk, Cr Eddie Siapu stated that it would be in the best interest of the Council and the public to terminate the City Clerk.
“Most of the councillors who joined the meeting shared the same sentiment that termination of the City Clerk needs to be done immediately to clear way forward for the council.
“The executive committee resolves to terminate the appointment of the City Clerk with the immediate effect based on reasons stated on April 6, 2021 meeting.”
Idu said the executive committee resolved to revoke and remove the City Clerk’s signature from the Council’s Bank Account, and resolution was passed by majority.
Meanwhile, Idu said they have appointed the current Deputy City Clerk to be the acting City Clerk until such time a new Clerk is appointed by the full Council.
Present at the meeting were Councillors Francis Idu, Dorah Huapii, Robert Oge, Mostyn Saferio, Clement Terewauri, Luciano Sade and Eddie Siapu.
Ex-officio present were Paul Inifiri, William Floyd and Vincent Kohata.
