Saonu yet to occupy his office

By PISAI GUMAR
MOROBE Governor Ginson Saonu is yet to occupy and operate formally in his legitimate Tutumang (provincial assembly) office since the building was renovated and opened five months ago.
He has not responded to queries from The National as to why he has not moved in.
On Tuesday, former acting administrator Sheila Harou told deputy administrators and programme advisers that Saonu had yet to move into his office, even though the renovation work had been completed.
“The governor not occupying the office until today is an issue” she said.
Harou said Saonu was renting office space at Nambawan Super Haus. It cost K900,000 to renovate Tutumang Building, which was blessed by Evangelical Luthern Church of PNG head bishop Jack Urame, and witnessed by Australian consul-general Paul Murphy and other dignitaries on Jan 25.
Saonu’s absence from his Tutumang office also concerns three former governors – Sir Jerry Nalau, Luther Wenge and Kelly Naru.
Sir Jerry said that Saonu must own up to the Morobe people and operate in his Tutumang office.
“Otherwise, explain to taxpayers which Sam Sewe (provincial executive council) resolution approved him to rent elsewhere, and under whose expenses?” he said.
Wenge urged Saonu to set standards as a mandated leader and make himself accessible to the people and administration.
He said Saonu must uphold Government principles for transparency and accountability.
Wenge said K900,000 spent on the renovation of the Tutumang was not budgeted for.
“As leaders, we cannot run away from people,” he said. “People have every right to access their leaders.”
Saonu, after the election, was upset over the delay in the renovation of his office which had forced him operate from home for seven months.
“I never meant to fail the people,” he said at that time. “The public servants and leaders failed the people for not having the office rehabilitated on time.”