By Scott Waide – EM TV, Lae
There has been a strong outpouring of public support for Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, amidst moves to have him ousted in a vote of no confidence by several local level government presidents and Ijivitari MP, David Arore.
Seven council presidents from various parts of the province released a statement announcing their intention to initiate a motion against governor Juffa.
But the move has, apparently, drawn very little public support both in the province and the rest of Papua New Guinea.
Garry Juffa went on national radio this morning to clear doubts and at the same time question the intentions of the seven councilors.
“If there is an alternative, then I will gladly step aside and work with them,” he told Radio host Roger Hau’ofa. “Unfortunately, the alternative is not better. It is frightening!”
The show drew callers from all over country who expressed strong support for Juffa.
Much of the public support is backing Garry Juffa’s hardline stand against illegal logging and abuses in the Oro Provincial administration.
Based on the auditor general’s investigations, the Juffa administration has been clamping down on abuses highlighted in the investigations reports. So far, 11 public servants have been criminally charged.
Last month, a provincial treasury official and her husband were arrested and charged for stealing K400,000.
