By MAGGIE VEVE-LOHIA
THE Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) commissioner and chief executive officer Thomas Abe was formally installed as the new paramount chief of Sivitatana village in the Rigo district, last Tuesday.
Mr Abe was carried into the village on a raised seat led by a traditional singsing group to a platform where he was presented with traditional bilas.
The ceremony also saw the signing of an official declaration by the seven clans of the village, confirming their support for the new chief.
Village councillor Garo Gagala said: “Mr Abe comes from a chieftain clan, the Gorugolo clan. His uncle Tom Abe snr was the last chief of the clans as well as the village.
“The head chief post was bestowed upon his uncle by his grandfather’s brother Kurona Vali. He was the head chief in 1936. The snr Tom passed away in 2000, age 89.”
Mr Gagala said the significance of the chieftain system was dying and the elders of the village wanted to reactivate and maintain law and order as well as bring about unity and development in the village.
“We have observed the ICCC commissioner’s leadership qualities at the international, national and village level as well as his personal character,” the councillor said.
“He has gained a lot of respect from the Rigo people, especially from the central and inland Rigo areas.
“He follows after his late uncle and father Dirona Abe, who were great leaders. From the chieftain clan of Gorugolo he was the obvious choice to be the paramount chief of the village. We are very proud of him and the entire village greatly support him.”
Meanwhile, the new chief has vowed to unite all educated people of Sivitatana and Boregaina to come together to raise the standard of their village to another level emphasising mainly on education.
Mr Abe’s father Dirona was the first parliamentary member for Rigo/Abau in 1964 when the two electorates were merged in the first House of Assembly and was the first under secretary for health and the founder of the national parks in PNG.
The ceremony was conducted by leaders of the seven clans of the village, councilor Garo Gagala and pastor Rev Gai Gani.
It was witnessed by more than 500 people including the Insurance Commissioner of PNG Salamo Elemea.