DAL’s deputy secretary Francis Daink refutes claims of “double dipping

By SIMON ERORO

THE deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Lives-stock (DAL) Francis Daink (pictured left) has denied media reports that his suspension is based on allegation of ‘double dipping”.

Mr Daink was referring to a daily newspaper (The National) report on Wednesday last week which had alleged two deputy secretaries of DAL, Mr Daink and Steven Mombi were suspended by acting Secretary Daniel Kombuk for double dipping with their housing and motor vehicle allowances.

Mr Daink speaking to The Sunday Bulletin said; “all these allegations are false as the sole intention of the acting secretary and his cohorts, and those behind raising the allegations was to blacklist us for the position of the DAL secretary we have applied for.”

“For instance, I never ever received the vehicle allowances using Public Investment Program (PIP) funds. I knew this would have been a criminal offence although I had the opportunity when I was the acting secretary of the department,” Mr Daink said.

Mr Daink said the only payment he received was the vehicle allowance approved by the Department of Personal Management (DPM) and it was the backdated allowance which is the difference when there was DPM – approved increases in the new allowance rate as well as other allowance for senior contract officers.

He also called on the media to do justice by verifying any allegations properly before publicity and running a media trial without facts.

The daily paper further reported that the pair were suspended on June 28, 2019 with five charges laid against them, for which they had being given seven days to respond.

Mr Kombuk is also quoted stating DAL disciplinary committee would meet and decide what course of action to take on the two officers and that he would “crack the whip on other directors and senior officers who are also involved in this”.

After receiving complaints from the deputy secretary about this media publication, this newspaper has now confirmed with DPM of a letter dated 29 August, 2018 (a copy obtained), signed by Ms Taies Sansan then acting secretary clearing the amount due to them as their allowances.

The letter addressed to the personal manager Mr Rova Ravu on the offline claims cleared for payments identified three senior officers including the two allegedly suspended with the department (DAL).

The letter read, “Please note that in consistent with National Executive Council (NEC) Decision No: 71 of 2017, the claims for the vehicle allowances cannot be paid using the current Pay Ending (PE) budget, however, your agency is advised to liaise with Department of Treasury to secure a source of funding to settle this missed vehicle allowance payments.”

Mr Daink also said similar false allegations were published on the social media (Facebook) by a Francis Tavatuna and that goes to show how desperate they were out to taint his professional reputation with the department.

“The position of the secretary does not belong to anyone, including myself. I have acted in the position for so many times and now that the position is vacant…we have all decided to apply.

“However, for one to try and fabricate allegations against another applicant is below the belt. Allow the government to follow its due processes to appoint a fit and proper person to drive the department forward,” Mr Daink said.