The Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to appoint a new head for the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) with a lucrative MP-I scale salary while eliminating several lower-grade positions to fund the appointment.
This decision follows the federal government’s Rightsizing Committee recommendation to transfer NIO to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs or a university. However, reports suggest the ministry is attempting to retain control over the institute by appointing a head of its own choosing before the transfer.
The Director General (DG) position has been upgraded to the MP-I scale, offering a monthly salary exceeding Rs965,000. To cover the cost, the ministry plans to abolish 11 lower-grade positions, including draftsmen, divers, lab assistants, and other technical staff, saving over Rs10.2 million per month.
Experts argue that cutting these essential positions could weaken NIO’s research capabilities and overall operations. Insiders allege that the move is aimed at favoring a specific candidate for the top post.
The decision was approved during an urgent meeting of the NIO Board of Directors, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Some board members joined the meeting online, and the approval process was fast-tracked.
A summary for hiring an MP-I scale DG has been sent to the federal government. However, concerns have been raised about the legality of the ministry’s move, given that the federal government has already approved the merger or dissolution of NIO.
According to the Rightsizing Committee’s decision, the Ministry of Science and Technology no longer has the authority to appoint a head for NIO, as the institute is now under the administrative control of another department. Despite this, the ministry appears determined to proceed with the appointment, citing an earlier government directive to justify upgrading the DG position. This has fueled speculation that the ministry is attempting to maintain influence over NIO despite its formal transfer.