Department to ensure functional districts

 A PRIORITY for the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs this year is to deliver and ensure that all district development authorities are in place and functional.

Acting Secretary Dickson Guina said during a dedication service for the commencement of the new working year at their office in Port Moresby that the department would also focus on the 2017 general elections, review of the Organic Law and ward planning and development.

Guina told his staff to put God first, the nation second, followed by the Government as they tackle the new working year.

He challenged them to change their old mindset and work closely with the National Government to serve the people and make a difference in the country.

Guina said these priorities could only be achieved if the department acknowledged God in its daily operations

He also told staff that the department was responsible for provincial and local level governments and the seven million people of Papua New Guinea, therefore it needed to partner with departments, agencies, districts and local level government’s to deliver services.

“You ought to take pride in your work; have passion for what you do, professionalism in your conduct and pace to be able to deliver solutions,” Guina said.

He warned staff not to put self-interest before work and laze around doing nothing because he would not hesitate to terminate them.

The dedication service concluded with encouragement and prayer from Pastor Cameron Wari from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Wari encouraged the staff to take challenges of leadership and be helpful to one another as a team to move the department forward to serve the government and the people of this country.