THE Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) has 57 Political Appointees engaged to date.

This was confirmed by the Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare on the floor of Parliament yesterday.

The Prime Minister disclosed this yesterday in response to questions raised by the Leader of the Official Opposition Hon Jeremiah Manele.

Manele asked the Prime Minister to disclose how many political appointees have been employed under the Prime Minister’s private office to date, at what scale are the PAs employed and the combine salary and other entitlements.

The total of 57 Political Appointees, according to the Prime Minister include the Policy Implementation Evaluation and Monitoring Unit of the Caucus Office, the Prime Minister’s Private and Political Office and Domestic Servants.

It was disclosed yesterday that combined salary and entitlements of engaged Political Appointees in 2015 was $13.6 million, 2016 was $15.7 million and $22.2 million anticipated for this year.

This Government has come under heavy criticism ever since it engaged a total of 39 Political Appointees when coming term.

The number has increased significantly with the Government focused on reviving major institutions that were once defunct through its Cabinet Subcommittees and other past major Government projects.