Friday 2 February 2024
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso.
The Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso, has confirmed the resignation of Chief Migration Officer, Mr. Stanis Hulahau, effective 30 January 2024.
The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNGICSA) Advisory Board and the National Executive Council (NEC) have also accepted his decision.
Mr Rosso, however, said that investigations into serious allegations against the Office of the Chief Migration Officer would continue.
“There have been a number of allegations levelled against Mr. Hulahau in recent months, including those related to the PNG Humanitarian Program (PHP), which was formerly the Refugee Resettlement Arrangement,” he said.
The government has currently engaged KPMG to carry out a forensic audit specifically into the PNG Humanitarian Program, and this will continue to determine whether or not there is any substance to the allegations.
“The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the Independent Commission of Anti Corruption, are also carrying out their own investigations into other allegations against Mr. Hulahau.”
Mr Rosso has further consulted with the PNGICSA Advisory Board on 30 January 2024 to determine whether or not he should be suspended while an investigation is being conducted.
The Board however met on the same day and advised Minister Rosso that Mr Hulahau has tendered his resignation.
Mr Rosson added that NEC also made the decision not to pay out the remainder of Mr. Hulahau’s contract until after the findings of the investigation.
The NEC, on 31 January 2024, had appointed Deputy Chief Migration Officer, Mr. Wellington Navasivu, as the Interim Chief Migration Officer while the process for the appointment of an Acting Chief Migration Officer and later a permanent Chief Migration Officer takes place.
“The appointment of the Interim Chief Migration Officer is to ensure continuity of business for the PNGICSA and the administering of the Migration Act which includes the assessing and issuing of visas, work permits, permanent residency and citizenship to foreign nationals, and passports to PNG nationals,” Hon. Rosso said.