Something not right in SHP

Letters, Normal

YOU ran two news articles yesterday by Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, “Agiru Gets Tough On Renegade Recruits” and “You’re own your own”. Both were in response to serious law and order developments in his province.
Reading the articles, it appeared that Mr Agiru is far removed from his province and the problems there, and seems to have difficulties putting in place long-term, tangible solutions to these problems.
His strongly worded public statements demonstrate the frustration he harbours.
The problem with Southern Highlands and why the people behave the way they do now compared with the 1970s and 80s is leadership and its presence among the people there.
As big and diverse as it is, Southern Highlanders are warm and peace-loving people who respect their leaders and elders, listen to them, do what they are asked, enjoy and share what they have in abundance, and support each other in times of need.
They are proud people who like their leaders to be among them and to lead them from the front.
What is missing in that province, especially Mendi, is the presence of leaders. None of the elected leaders of the province, including Agiru, actually live in Mendi or their electorate and do not have a fully operational office there.
They live in Port Moresby, and only fly into the province to launch projects for the media, and fly back.
The rampage by the would-be police recruits on the Agiru Centre in Mendi early this week is an example of frustration among people because of the lack of leadership on the ground to address their concerns.
Your editorial in support of Agiru is an attempt to cover up the governor’s failure, and fails to offer any solution to serious problems in this province.

 

Longo Naik,
Port Moresby