s 3 Competent authority
3.—(1) The Minister may appoint —(a) a public officer from a Ministry or department of the Government; or (b) an employee of a public authority, under the charge of the Minister to be the competent authority. (2) Subject to any general or special directions of the Minister, the competent authority is responsible for the administration of this Act, and may perform such duties as are imposed, and may exercise such powers as are conferred, on the competent authority by this Act. (3) The Minister may from time to time give the competent authority directions of a general character, and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as to the exercise of the powers and discretions conferred on the competent authority, and the duties imposed on the competent authority, by this Act; and the competent authority must give effect to those directions.