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Sports |
People are victims of leadership
tussle
THE struggle for the provincial
administrator’s post in Southern Highlands has had and will have
serious ramifications on the province’s socio-economic
development.
The people have become victims of the debacle which is the result
of a lack of foresight and responsibility on the part of the
National Government and judiciary.
The National Executive Council (NEC) did not have a contingency
plan before declaring the State of Emergency (SoE).
It should have set a direction for the province to improve its
resources and maximise infrastructural development that would
benefit everyone and not political cronies.
While the SOE operation was welcomed to end gross mismanagement
and manipulation of public monies, it was shortlived and did not
solve the problems.
Rather, it added fuel to the fire as the Hami Yawari faction
challenged its validity in the Supreme Court and won the case.
As a result, the rehabilitation and progress initiated by the
security forces died prematurely, throwing the province into chaos
and malignity.
Looking back, the NEC’s deliberate interference with the elected
provincial government without justification demonstrates its
attempt to exploit and punish the innocent provincial government
and its people.
Its insistence on William Powi as provincial administrator is also
wrong as the appointment is the prerogative of the elected
provincial government.
The Supreme Court confirmed that with its decision.
The courts have also made us a laughing stock with their
conflicting decisions which do little to gain public confidence.
The decisions have created so much confusion and uncertainty.
What we need now is for the Ombudsman Commission, Transparency
International, churches and other organisations to assist and
monitor the elections in the province as well as the deployment of
security forces to ensure law and order.
I hope the elections will result in a new administration
comprising young, educated and God-fearing leaders who will work
together to restore the province’s image and properly manage its
wealth.
Peter Barnabas Pamula
Alotau
 
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