MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is expected to release the names of the Head of the country’s overseas Missions by the end of this month.
The government was said to have already earmarked envoys for missions in Canberra (Australia), Taipei (Taiwan), Geneva (Switzerland) and New York (United States of America).
Minister Milner Tozaka said he was working on the appointments and will forward them to the Prime Minister for endorsement.
Mr Tozaka said the names are expected to be released towards the end of this month after going through the Public Service Commission.
He said the appointments were very important for the country.
“The appointments are very urgent but we would like to appoint right people to look after the Missions,” he said.
“Acting High Commissioner, Fiona Indu is looking after the Canberra mission.
“While a Chargd De Affairs, Gladys Luahiti looks after the Taiwan embassy,” he said.
Tozaka said Moses Mose used to look after the office in Geneva before he left for Brussels.
“The Mission in Geneva was opened by former Government and later closed due to financial constraints.
“However, we want to re-open it to a full fledged mission,” he said.
Mr Tozaka said Barrat Saleto was currently looking after the office in Geneva.
He said for New York, there will be a replacement for Collin Beck.
Solomon Star understood Beck wanted to return home after serving the country for many years.
The Opposition recently encouraged the Government to follow the right procedure when appointing their diplomatic representatives to head their missions overseas.
“It is important that political nepotism and favour should not influence the appointments. Individuals appointed must be done on merit,” the Opposition reminded the Government.
The opposition said the Government must also take the right approach by going through the right process to appoint our overseas diplomats including scrutiny by the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee.
“By making use of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee there is a higher chance for the best candidate to be chosen based on merit,” the opposition said.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
