Mr Lilo was responding to
allegations leveled against him by Mr Philip on the appointment of Dr George
Manimu as the National Referral Hospital’s (NRH) new chief executive officer
(CEO).
Mr Philip questioned the motive
behind Prime Minister Lilo’s appointment of Dr Manimu; a highly vocal and
critical person who led the protest against Mr Lilo’s election in November last
year.
Mr Philip accused Mr Lilo disguise
his cost-cutting tactic as a smokescreen of his real motives.
The former Prime Minister last week threatened to quit the
Lilo led regime over what he labeled as a ‘serious fissure’ regarding NCRA
policies.
But Prime Minister Lilo hit back saying that it was Mr
Philip who manipulated the Government system.
He clarified that Dr Manimu was appointed through the normal
process in which he was interviewed and selected by the Health Ministry panel.
“Mr Manimu was selected through normal procedures even
before I was elected. But when Mr Philip was Prime Minister he instructed his
political appointee Wayne Maepio to direct the permanent secretary (PS) of the
Health Ministry not to accept Dr Manimu’s appointment or face termination,” the
Prime Minister claimed.
“Mr Philip wanted one of his close relatives Irvin Ghemu to
be the CEO.”
Therefore, Prime Minister Lilo said when he came into power,
he acted on what should have been done already and that was to appoint Dr
Manimu in the first place.
“Mr Philip was the one who manipulated the system. He should
stop telling lies to the people of this nation,” Prime Minister Lilo said.
It is understood Mr Philip who
still has grudges against Mr Lilo following his downfall November last year was
planning revenge against the finance minister he sacked but eventually took his
throne.
Mr Philip said he is contemplating leaving the NCRA Government led by Prime Minister Lilo on grounds of policy disagreement.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
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