THE chief regional officer position at the Karas Regional Council remains vacant after the Public Service Commission turned down a request to appoint Leopoldt Niipare.
Niipare, a former NamWater regional manager, scored the highest points during an interview of shortlisted applicants.The other applicants were Hardap Education Director Ben Boys, acting Karas CRO Saul Kahuika, Maureen Hinda and Simon //Garoëb.In a letter dated March 18, the Public Service Commission said Niipare should have been excluded from the selection process because he did not have the required qualifications. Niipare has an engineering degree instead of the required bachelor’s degree in public administration, finance, business administration or economics plus nine years’ relevant experience. Controversy has dogged the position since October 2008 when the regional council first advertised it. A second advertisement for the top job was placed on February 13 2009. In its latest letter, the Public Service Commission advised the regional council to complete the selection process by inviting only candidates who had met the requirements as advertised in October 2008. A well-placed source said the vacant CRO position would top the agenda of a council meeting scheduled for May 19. According to the source, four councillors are expected to press for a vote to push through Niipare’s appointment. luqman@namibian.com.na
