SHP gets new administrator

SOUTHERN Highlands witnessed the formal welcoming of new provincial administrator Jerry David on Thursday.
David replaces Joseph Cajetan, who handed over the keys to the administrator’s office as well as the official vehicle, at Agiru Centre in Mendi.
David is the latest permanent administrator appointed with the last one being Governor William Powi.
Previous administrators Ungia Kembo, Joe Kaiyo, Thomas Eluh and Cajetan were all acting in the position.
The transition was witnessed by officers from the Department of Personnel Management, Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Provincial Executive Council members and departmental heads
Cajetan become acting administrator when the province was in chaos after the 2017 election-related violence and the 2018 earthquake in Hela which impacted parts of Southern Highlands.
Cajetan said he had faced challenges during his tenure trying to restore the rule of law and normalcy and was proud that he had done his part for the people.
He also used his farewell as an opportunity to call for the administration to look outside the province for qualified and professional workers.
“Why do we have a majority of the public servant from Southern Highlands?,” he said.
“Why not recruit servants from other provinces who can perform duties diligently and honestly?”
Cajetan said the districts had public servants whose performances were poor.
He urged David to recruit qualified people or improve the skills of current ones through workshops or training at appropriate institutions.
David thanked Cajetan for his service and for facilitating the smooth transition.
He promised to continue the work of building Southern Highlands and providing opportunities for its people to prosper.
Wewak MP Kevin Isifu said the ceremony was a “rare occasion”.
“The province has been in the spotlight for a series of law and order issues and this is beginning of a new era,” he said.