Rural patrols revived by Sir Julius

NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan ended a non-stop four-day patrol by chartered vessel of the Murat and Lavongai LLG areas over the weekend.
Leading a combined government and administration team of more than 20 people, Sir Julius aimed to revive the dynamism of rural patrols, which propelled development in rural areas across PNG during the formative years to independence.
The team met with ward councillors and the people on Emirau and Mussau islands in Murat LLG last Thursday and Friday.
They then crossed over to Lavongai LLG where he officially opened two village toilet projects on Tingwon Island and Umbukul village, and held meetings in at least three other villages.
The delegation included the provincial cabinet and administration headed by the deputy provincial administrator Dennis Gati, CEOs, directors and other officials.
Despite the bad weather on Tingwon Island, Sir Julius described the inaugural combined patrol as a great success and a good start for 2010.
He assured the people of Murat LLG the region would now be completely transformed.
“The smaller and remote you are, the more we care,” he said.
“Those areas that missed out on Government services in the past, which include all the islands, Konoagil, West Coast New Ireland and Central will be pushed to reach an equivalent state of development as the east coast in the Malagan Declaration.
“However weak or powerful, urban or remote, equal opportunities and services will be given,” he said.
In appreciation of the visit and acknowledgment of the policies and projects of the Government, the people of Murat accorded Sir Julius their highest honour of Chief, or Vau in the local language.
The rural patrol will extend to all other areas of the mainland and outer islands along the east coast within the next few weeks.