Could John Pinelo Return as Chief Forest Officer?

Questions continue to surround the outcome of an internal investigation into former Acting Chief Forest Officer John Pinelo after the Ministry of Sustainable Development concluded there was no evidence of wrongdoing, despite allegations over his dealings with a private businessman. With the post of Chief Forest Officer now substantively vacant, Pinelo could once again be a candidate for the job. Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher says his ministry was not involved in the investigation and confirms that the position will soon be re-advertised.

 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

“The Ministry of the Public Service can’t act unless we receive something from the, from whatever ministry there is an issue. So we have not had the opportunity to see anything yet when it, in reference to this particular set of events. And so the Public Service Commission as well has not been able to act. It has been an investigation that was done internally at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, and we hope that we can get full disclosure as to what that investigation actually revealed.”

 

Reporter

“So is it that the post of chief forest officer will be advertised?”

 

Henry Charles Usher

“So the post had been a- advertised before. There was an acting chief forest officer. I think when the former chief forest officer retired, there was some time in between when he had some leave and so he didn’t actually leave office until a few months later. So that vacancy was pulled back to say, “Okay, we’ll wait until the, the substantive post is actually vacant until we publicize that post again.” So that will happen very soon.”

 

John Pinelo took a month leave of absence during the investigation against him. He is the most senior official in the Forestry Department.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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