The acting CEO of the Electricity Commission, Paula Tupou, said he has pushed for the Commission’s board to sack former CEO Lord Dalgety with immediate effect.
Tupou said an employment contract between Lord Dalgety and the commission which has a clause that put him in the position until he died with some exceptions was fake.
As Kaniva News reported last week, Lord Dalgety has been at the centre of an investigation by Tupou after allegations emerged that money was missing from the Electricity Commission pension funds.
Lord Dalgety tendered his resignation on Monday to the chairman, Rev. ‘Alifeleti ‘Atiola, citing his old age and health condition, but said his departure would be effective in March 2018.
Tupou, who was appointed as interim boss this week, said the board was expected to hold a meeting yesterday (Tuesday 17) to formally dismiss the king’s noble.
He said the first item on the agenda would be to resolve to sack Dalgety immediately for having no legal employment contract with the EC, he said.
He said he would then send Dalgety by e-mail a letter signed by majority of the Commissioners dismissing him.
The letter would also instruct him to surrender all properties of the Commission in his possession.
A police officer would be present to supervise the handover process at the Commissions office.
“If he is not there at the appointed time, the charge will then include theft of Commission property (information) and Police will be looking for him and escort him to the venue advised,” Tupou said yesterday
Tupou accused Lord Dalgety of not complying with the commission’s trust deed or surrendering information he wanted for his investigation.
“This refusal to obey a lawful order is punishable by immediate dismissal, without notice”, Tupou said.
The king’s law lord is currently Tonga’s Election Commissioner and was also chair of the Privy Council’s Judicial Standing committee.
It is not yet clear whether Lord Dalgety intends to resign from his other appointments.
The main points
- The acting CEO of the Electricity Commission, Paula Tupou, said he has pushed for the Commission’s board to sack former CEO Lord Dalgety with immediate effect.
- Tupou said an employment contract between Lord Dalgety and the commission which has a clause that put him in the position until he died with some exception was fake.
- As Kaniva News reported last week, Lord Dalgety has been at the centre of an investigation by Tupou after allegations emerged that money was missing from the Electricity Commission pension funds.
- Lord Dalgety tendered his resignation on Monday to the chairman, Rev. ‘Alifeleti ‘Atiola, citing his old age and health condition, but said his departure would be effective in March 2018.
For more information
Electricity Commission meeting cancelled as Commissioner Tupou walks out
