The announcement of the appointment of the new Vanuatu Police Commissioner has been delayed.
An announcement was scheduled to be made yesterday.
Police Media Center says the delay was due to the absence of the Minister for Internal Affairs, Alfred Maoh who is in Sanma province for the Malo/Aore by-election and to visit his voters in Santo Rural.
The Police Service Commission also held its meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the score cards from the interviews with the three short-listed candidates who are vying for the vacant Police Commissioner’s post.
Last week, chairman of the Police Service Commission, Api Jack Marikembo said the minister responsible for police matters which is the Minister for Internal Affairs, Alfred Maho will be the first to be advised of the decision of the selection panel before the recommendation is made to the Head of State, Baldwin Lonsdale to sign the instruments for the appointment.
Mr Marikembo has said the appointment of the police commissioner is high priority and wants to see it resolved as soon as possible.
The three candidates shortlisted and interviewed last week are the current acting commissioner, Robson Iavro, Chief Inspector in-charge of the General Duties and lone female applicant Clera Seth and the Police Legal Officer, Albert Nalbini.
Meanwhile, Minister Maoh, who was contacted by phone yesterday afternoon, has confirmed he is returning to Port Vila this weekend and he is hoping the issue of the appointment of the new police commissioner is sorted out as soon as possible.