TEMOTUANS CONCERNED OVER LACK OF DISASTER OFFICERS

Temotu’s main jetty. Photo: Courtesy of royall.co.uk

A concerned Temotu Province man has called on the National Disaster Management Office to place full-time officers in the province.

John Kiu told SIBC News today, people in the province are complaining about the lack of officers in the Temotu-based NDMO Office.

Mr Kiu said the office has been vacant since last year.

He said as the country is experiencing bad weather, people in the Island need the office to give information on preparing for disasters and its impacts.

Responding to the complaint, NDMO Director Loti Yates said the office is aware of the problem and will recruit an officer for the post soon.

Mr Yates adds advertisement and shortlist for the post has been done, and interview processes will take place next week.

“What happened late last year was that we’ve received the Temotu Provincial Disaster Officer’s resignation letter, and therefore a process was put through to advertise the position and the advertisement has been done shortlisting has been made. This morning I got a call from the Human Resource Manager of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology indicating to me that they will have interviews for the position next week.”

The NDMO Director also said the process for the post is continuing, and there is no barrier for his office to deploy officers to Temotu immediately.