In a defiant statement to the Pacific Games Council, the Tongan Government today boldly announced it will not let the council dictate who Tonga should employ to facilitate the 2019 Games, even though the council owns the Pacific Games 2019.
"The Government of Tonga, as a sovereign state, is not to submit to the Pacific Games Council to decide for Tonga on who to employ to facilitate the Pacific Games 2019," the Prime MInister's Office declared this morning.
The PMO stated that they had already replaced Tonga's organising committee chairman Lord Sevele on May 27 with Tonga's Solicitor General Sione Sisifa, who "has been appointed as the interim CEO/Chairman until further notice." The PMO also stated it would advertise the position.
The announcement titled: "Immediate vacating the position of Pacific Games 2019 Organising Committee CEO/Chairman" said that the Audit and Governance Authority (AGA) had approved the removal of the incumbent CEO/Chairman position held by Lord Sevele, a former Prime Minister of Tonga. The decision was based on "the significant downgrade of the role of the CEO/Chairman role since 5 February" when the Government Facilities Committee was established to take over much of the Organising Committee's role "having inherited over 60 percent of the CEO/Chairman’s responsibilities."
"The decision is in line with Tonga as a sovereign state...," the Prime Minister's Office stated. The Tonga Government is responsible for funding the games.
The announcement comes only two days before the government implements a foreign exchange levy that will bring in over $2 million pa'anga annually, tagged for funding the games.
Pacific Games charter
However, the selection of the organising committee was by the Tonga Amateur Sports Association (TASA).
Earlier this month Vidhya Lakhan, the President of the PGC pointed out that the AGA proposal to terminate the working contract of Dr Sevele is in contravention with the Pacific Games Council Charter and Host Agreement, which states categorically that “the Games Organising Committee shall be appointed by the host Pacific Games Association TASA in consultation with PGC, and must operate independently from government interference."
The Council President stated, “The role and powers of the Audit and Governance Authority are misunderstood. It has no role in the daily operations of the Games Organising Committee. I urge members to cease and desist from further steps in contravention of the PGC Charter and Host Agreement.”
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