Elders gather in numbers for meeting

 THE 5th Council of Elders was held last week at Pinikidu Primary School, in central New Ireland. 

The council was a major undertaking, the largest in the history of the meetings, bringing together elders and traditional leaders from all 10 local level governments in the province. Governor Sir Julius Chan applauded chairman Sir Noel Levi, the organising committee and liaison officers for the successful staging of the council meeting. 

Sir Julius highlighted the Central Niu Ailan LLG public servants for their excellent work in carrying out this important government policy by providing upgraded facilities and accommodation for traditional leaders. Kavieng MP Ben Micah and Namatanai MP Byron Chan attended the three-day meeting. 

With a total of 168 delegates, including 22 women, this year’s council meeting was the largest since 2009.