Port Moresby: Minister for Higher Education and Sports, Wesley Raminai, has strongly defended the integrity of his ministry following public comments made by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) Secretary.
Raminai said he was compelled to take action upon his appointment as DHERST minister to safeguard the interests and credibility of the department and its institutions.
As a portfolio minister, I have the responsibility to protect the interest and integrity of the department and ministry. This is what prompted me to pursue a series of actions when I was appointed as DHERST minister.
Raminai stated
He stressed that part of good governance is ensuring that a departmental head whose integrity is being questioned should not continue to carry out official duties.
Raminai further emphasized that under his leadership, corruption and malpractice will not be tolerated within DHERST or any institutions under his ministry.
The minister also criticized Secretary Fr. Jan Czuba over his recent media statement titled “Fr Czuba reports minister for unethical conduct”, describing it as “contradictory to ethics and professionalism, and unbecoming of a member of the clergy.”