We stand by Radrodro, it’s a storm in a tea cup – SODELPA GS

SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa is describing the case regarding the Permanent Secretary for Education as a storm in a tea cup, and also stresses that the party stands by the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro.

However he is claiming that certain elements within the coalition are spoiling the coalition arrangement.

Questions continue to be raised on why the Permanent Secretary for Education’s appointment under the constitution is still being rejected by the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, while the successful candidate, Selina Kuruleca who was supposed to start in office on the 3rd of July remains outside the ministry headquarters due to this mess.

While speaking outside the SODELPA Youth and Women AGM today, Takayawa brought up the issue regarding the coverage of a civil servant, Maika Moroca requesting for Aseri Radrodro’s resignation as Minister.

Takayawa says Moroca has to follow the process and protocols with senior staff in terms of his request, and SODELPA does not get involved in the operations of the government.

He says worried about the standard of reporting and the cunningness of doing such a thing while referring to an article on FBC.

Takayawa says he had to research who is Moroca and noticed that Moroca has been involved in the Ministry of Education for quite long and he has also been involved in the removal of certain Ministers and public servants and Permanent Secretaries. The SODELPA General Secretary goes on to say that maybe Moroca is the cause of the high turnover of Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Education.

Takayawa also stresses that SODELPA stands by Radrodro.

He says we need to have faith in the Minister, and maybe it has been 16 years of this type of rule where processes and protocols are not respected.

Takayawa also spoke about certain elements within the three parties in the coalition government.

He says let’s stop making up speculations as it creates volatility.

Takayawa says the media is the voice of the people, and SODELPA trusts the journalists to be fair on all stakeholders.

Meanwhile Selina Kuruleca remains outside the ministry despite the appointment made under section 126 of the Constitution which states that the Public Service Commission has the functions to appoint permanent secretaries, with the agreement of the Prime Minister; and to remove permanent secretaries, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.

Radrodro has publicly rejected the appointment, saying the teachers’ unions do not accept Kuruleca as the Permanent Secretary.

Under the constitution, the PSC does not need to consult the Minister or unions for Permanent Secretary appointments. When fijivillage News requested for an update from the Prime Minister on whether he has made a decision regarding this issue, a statement was sent last night saying according to the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister is considering advice on the matter and will make known his decision in due course.