Official aims for change

 By PETER ESOP WARI

IALIBU-Pangia wants to become a model district for Southern Highlands.

New Ialibu-Pangia district administrator Ron Yamuna said he wanted to see the district lead the way in the province and country.

Yamuna, who has been in office for three months, said he preferred to serve the people to the best of his ability rather than wasting time with plans and aspirations.

He said there was “big talk” about poor performance and inefficiency of expected government services to reach the bulk of the population.

“One of the common features that have contributed to poor performances and inefficiency is lack of focus and support from respective authorities of government agencies,” he said.

Yamuna said other contributing factors included inadequate facilities, transport, staff houses and office equipment.

“The public service mechanism is vested with the mandate to deliver government services to reach the bulk of the population,” he said.

Yamuna said he realised the lack of coherent planning, monitoring and reporting system in the administration.

“This gave me an insight to explore the ward planning as a need to develop and cooperate in a bottom-up planning strategy,” he said.

“I believe the ward planning approach is the right direction to enable a realistic development plan such as a five-year development plan or an annual plan for the district.”

The district plans to establish a new teachers’ college and a modern university for the Ialibu Urban local level government.