Olkoben says he is administrator

LAWRENCE Olkoben maintains he is still the le­gitimate Southern Highlands acting provincial administrator, The National reports.
Olkoben, whose three-month term as acting administrator expired on Aug 12, said the pro­vincial executive council had extended his term on Aug 4, eight days before his term expired.
He said the Supreme Court recognised him as acting administrator and dismissed an appeal lodged by former admi­nistrator William Powi on July 14.
He said any ap­pointment of the acting provincial administrator must have the recommendation of the council.
Olkoben said in his case, the council had recommended he acted until a permanent appoint­ment was made.
He said the prime mi­nister and cabinet had hijacked the normal procedures by appointing Powi without consulting the provincial council.