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By ANDREW ALPHONSE
SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru last Friday announced his
new-look provincial executive council (PEC).
All through that week, Mr Agiru, assisted by his provincial
administration staff, a legal team and an officer from the department of
provincial government affairs, screened through how the presidents were
sworn-in by the previous regime and recognised only the duly elected
ones.
This was after some local level government councils (LLGC) had two to
three people occupying the same position, prompting the 32-member
assembly to swell to 45.
As a result, it had cost the provincial government well over K13 million
annually to settle their salaries, allowances and grants.
Mr Agiru also had 10 of the 13 duly elected presidents that were never
recognised by the past regime sworn-in as assembly members, before
announcing the members of his provincial executive council.
The governor named Lai Valley council president Kundapen Tila as the
acting deputy governor and chairman of Lands.
Others included Joseph Longo (Aiya LLGC – Youth and Home Affairs); Ole
Yoko (Kewabi LLGC – Division of Primary Industries); Oki Kange (Imbonggu
LLGC – Internal Security, Law and Order); Graham Inua (Lower Mendi –
District Affairs and LLGCs); Jimmy Alibe (Mt Bosavi LLGC – Forest and
Environment); David Yawe (Lake Kutubu LLGC – Petroleum); Nelson Hiwi
Haluni (Lower Wage LLGC – Education); Doriga Pole (Upper Wage LLGC –
Works and Transport); Parinda Pipiya (Komo LLGC – Sports, Events and
Protocol); Tengo Kewane (North Koroba LLGC – Commerce); and Jacob Hulugo
(Awi Lagayu – Culture and Tourism).
Mr Agiru added that the new PEC members would be sworn in on Sept 14.
 
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