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By ZACHERY PER
FROM now on, people requesting for financial assistance from the Simbu
provincial administration should not expect to receive anything.
This is because newly-elected Simbu Governor Fr John Garia had directed
provincial administrator Joe Bal “to burn any individual request for
monetary assistance”.
Fr Garia issued the directive during a public address in front of the
Kondom Agaundo provincial government building in Kundiawa last Tuesday
just before being sworn in as the new provincial governor.
He said past experiences showed that individual claims, especially the
“bogus claims” had wasted much-needed funds intended for provincial
projects and deliveries of basic services.
“As long as I am the governor of Simbu province, the claim habit will
have to stop completely,” Fr Gaira said.
He said for the first time in many years, elected Simbu parliamentarians
had vowed to work together and to operate from the province for the
common good of the people.
He urged the people of Simbu not to bother their MPs with money, adding
that this had often forced the leaders to stay away from the people.
Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine, who addressed the people and public
servants on behalf of his colleagues, had proposed a 10-year development
plan for all the six districts based on a 10-year provincial plan.
“We want to work together and the people should give us chance … if you
want us to perform, please do not come and pull out our pockets and put
in false claims.
“You ask us to change Simbu, so you should stop chasing us for money and
stop taking the Kokoda Trail to come to Port Moresby if you want
efficient service deliveries,” Fr Garia said.
He also called on the public servants to do their duties and
responsibilities honestly in their assigned locations before asking for
payment.
“I have seen public servants posted in rural areas but were living in
Kundiawa, Goroka or even Port Moresby … they get paid for doing nothing
… that habit has to stop,” he added.
He said they (MPs) had pledged to co-operate with the governor to pursue
the development agenda for the province.
He also urged the people to refrain from going after their MPs for
money.
 
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