THE outspoken Provincial Secretary (PS) for the Renbel Provincial Government has been reportedly removed from his post last week.
Peseika Baiabe was to be dismissed from his position and subsequently replaced by Adrian Tuhanuku as the new acting PS for the province.
It was claimed Mr Baiabe was removed after filing a court case against the Minister of Mines, his Permanent Secretary and Director of Mines without first consulting the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (PGIS).
Apart from his dismissal as the PS, the Ministry of Provincial Government has also removed Mr Baiabe as a signatory in the Renbel provincial accounts and withheld him from exercising his power in the Renbel provincial government.
In an interview with the Solomon Star yesterday to confirm the report Mr Baiabe said he was shocked to learn of his removal on Friday.
“I did not have any clue about my removal because I did not receive any formal letter from the Provincial Government instructing me about my dismissal from the post.
“I only know about this when I went to the ministry on Friday to check for the Renbel provincial grant when the finance officer advise me that my signatory was removed from the accounts and transferred to Deputy Provincial Secretary (DPS),” Mr Baiabe said.
Mr Baiabe said he was surprised about the move to have him dismissed.
“What I understand was that I was given the power by the Minister of Provincial Government for the administration of the province and the executive since the provincial executive was suspended. And this power has been given to me by the Minister according to Act and not the Permanent Secretary (PS).”
He said only the Minister can remove him and not the Permanent Secretary as stated in the Act.
“And worst still they never inform me on time about my removal nor given me any letter to inform me,” Mr Baiabe said.
Mr Baiabe urged Provincial Government Permanent Secretary and the legal advisor to provide him the reasons for his removal.
“I need an explanation from the PS and the legal advisor as to why I was removed without any formal notification.”
Attempts to get comments from the Permanent Secretary and the legal advisor on Sunday were unsuccessful.
By DENVER NEWTER