New councillor to tackle challenges

 NEWLY elected Rabaul urban local level government ward 10 councillor Florence John is ready to take on the challenges in the next five years to help bring services to her ward.

She was declared winner last week after polling 104 votes.

John, 40, from Tsoi village, New Ireland, is heavily involved in pastoral work with the Rabaul Catholic Church parish and had been a member for the ward development committee under two councillors in Rabaul for the past 10 years.

“Having gained this experience, I put my hand up to contest my ward and help the people,” she said.

John said many councillors had failed to focus on mobilising people in the development of their wards and communities.

“I contested to reorganise the people in the ward to work according to a structure and reform that the government is emphasising on.

“Many times leaders are not working according to these structures and if we do so, we will 

realise people’s need for development.”

John said there was a need to adapt a community participation approach and involve people to help develop the ward and community.

“Many people are not participating in community work in the LLG but are just sitting back and spectating and I hope to change this.

“There must be leaders to address health, women’s and law and order issues with committees in place to work under the reform.”