Official: Peaceful transition sign of change for SHP

THE smooth transition from one administrator to another in the Southern Highlands government on Thursday is a sign of change and good things to come, a senior government official says.
Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs secretary Dickson Guina, who was present at Agiru centre in Mendi for the hand-over ceremony, said people needed to learn from former acting administrator Joseph Cajetan and new administrator Jerry David.
“It is my first time to witness such a ceremony as there haven’t been any reports of quarrelling by supporters or tribesmen,” he said.
Guina commended Cajetan for his leadership, conduct and professionalism.
He said both men had set an example by following procedure.
“We all come from a community and village,” he said.
“If individuals have the mindset to change their little village, we can work together to change our province.
“Many developed countries changed because people worked together for change.”
Cajetan said he was confident the province was on the path to recovery and development but that the administration and people still needed to work hard, be diligent and continue to put the interests of the province ahead of their own for the province to transform to a peace loving model province in the Highlands.
He called on local level government presidents and councillors, peace and good order committee members and police to work together to ensure peace in communities and to discourage tribal fighting and other forms of violence, especially against women and children.
Cajetan said everyone had a duty to make the province a safe place to live.
“When we have peace, investors will come and develop the province.”