Attorney General rejects Kalu to head LCC and now SIICAC
The Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) remains without a Director General after the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) declined to approve the recommendation of the interview panel.
The interview panel comprised of Ombudsman Fred Fakarii, Dr. Patricia Rodie who is a member of the JSLC and the Law Reform Commission Chairman, Mr. Philip Kanairara. The panel recommended the former Leadership Code Commission (LCC) Chairman and lawyer Solomon Kalu for the Director General position following the interviews.
However, Attorney General Muria Junior advised the JLSC that Kalu had not complied with the former government’s “No Jab, No Job” COVID-19 policy, leading to the rejection of the panel’s recommendation.
Kalu was one of three candidates interviewed for the Director General post, alongside former Director General John Kouni and former Chairman of Law Reform Commission, Frank Paulsen. Paulsen has since been appointed Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission replacing Stevenson Belakame.
Sources claim the interview panel also recommended Kalu for the LCC chairman position, but this recommendation was likewise rejected on the Attorney General’s advice.
Solomon Star contacted Mr. Kalu who confirmed that he received the written decision of the JLSC. However, he does not wish to comment suffice to say that the decision raises issues that can only be resolved in a Court of law.
Mr. Kalu is currently the Team Leader of Governance at the United Nations Development Program country office.
SIICAC has been without a substantive Director General since the expiry of John Kouni’s contract in April last year.
There are now calls for the JLSC to appoint an Acting Director General while the process for a substantive appointment continues.
The SIICAC Director General is responsible for leading the commission in achieving the objectives of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, implementing the Anti-Corruption Act, advancing other national government policies, and meeting Solomon Islands’ obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
