OPPOSITION QUESTIONS POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana

Editor's Desk

The Opposition has called on the National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government to come clean on the number of its political appointees following its announcement of the establishment of the Bureau of Social and Economic Reform.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana said the Danny Phillip-led regime owes the taxpayers an explanation on the number of its political appointees because it is apparent that it has increased the number of political appointments in the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office contrary to its expressed intention to reduce it.

Mr Abana said documents obtained by his office show that the newly established Bureau of Social and Economic Reform consists of a Permanent Secretary post, seven directors’ posts and five administration posts and it is understood that these positions are all to be political appointments.

He said the pertinent question is whether this bureau includes the political posts of Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Director and staff of the Policy Unit and the Secretary to the Government Caucus.

Mr Abana said the documents show the 2011 budget submission for the bureau stands at a total of $4,838,479.15.

The Opposition Leader said if the bureau is exclusive of the posts of Press Secretary, Special Secretary, Private Secretary, the Director and staff of the Policy Unit and the Executive Secretary to Government Caucus then the number of political appointments and expenditures for these appointments by the NCRA Government has far exceeded that of all successive political governments since the introduction of the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office in 2005.

Mr Abana said this excessive political appointment exercise brings into question the NCRA Government’s commitment to reduce government expenditures for political appointments as announced over the national radio by the Finance and Treasury Minister, Mr Gordon Darcy Lilo.

He said the taxpayers would also be interested to know whether or not the Economic Reform Unit in the Ministry for Finance and Treasury would be merged with the proposed Bureau of Social and Economic Reform Unit. The Economic Reform Unit engages overseas technical advisors and public servants.

The Opposition Leader said the NCRA Government needs to come clear on the issue of political appointees as taxpayers are entitled to know if there has been a drastic change in its policy on this matter.