LLG president expresses gratitude for inclusion in provincial assembly

A COUNCIL president in Morobe bemoaned the previous relegation to the districts saying things at that level were slow and very frustrating.
Speaking at the first provincial assembly meeting marking the return of the 34 council presidents in Lae last Friday, Jabem Mape president, Judas Nalau, said to represent people at district level without representation at the provincial assembly was very trying.
He said: “For starters we get paid K1,000 every three month and by the time payday arrives, we are already in debt as over the course of those three months, being leaders, we have had to take care of people who come to visit regarding electorate issues.
“We are supposed to be leaders as elected by our people, but when we do not have the means to serve our people, it can become very embarrassing and stressful,” Nalau said.
He said they were also allowed to collect taxes but they did not know how to go about it and the department of provincial and local level government affairs should be going around to the provinces and districts advising them on how they should do it.
Nalau said it was good to be back in the provincial assembly but that was “one contest won with more hurdles ahead”.
He also wanted to see more participation by Morobe’s 10 national MPs at assembly meetings.