ZERO TOLERANCE ON EXTORTION
PORT MORESBY: The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) warns its workers that anyone found extorting favors and benefits from individuals and business houses will instantly be dismissed from employment.
City Manager, Ravu Frank recently issued the stern warning in light of extortion reports which were brought to the management’s attention.
This position highlights the Commission’s strong commitment to professionalization of the workforce and fighting corruption in the workplace.
Mr Frank cited that it is common on many occasions that complainants of alleged contaminated food and public health risks use police personnel to threaten and use force to extort refunds and other favors from individuals and business houses.
City Manager clarified that NCDC through the Health Division is the mandated authority pursuant to Food Sanitation Act and Public Health Act to deal with complaints against business houses and individuals in relation to food safety and public health concerns.
“In the event that a complainant raises concerns with food safety and public health, he or she must first call or come to the City Hall and see the NCDC Health officers to lodge and register the complaint.
Once registered, NCDC Health Inspectors will attend to the complaint by conducting an investigation, issuing appropriate notices for compliance and compiling investigation reports.
A copy of the investigation report may be made available to the complainant if he/she wishes to take the matter to court for claims of damages from the business owners or to seek redress.
NCDC Health inspectors or other officers have no authority under any laws to negotiate compensation for complainants from business houses and individuals, the court is the only competent authority,” he said.
City Manager calls on the business houses and individuals to request NCDC officers attending to complaints to produce genuine staff identification cards.
“In the event that the food safety and public health complaints are serious, complainants have the right to sue business houses and individuals in the courts based on the report done by NCDC Health officers. The report must be accompanied by necessary medical reports.