by Delly Waigeno – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Government has appointed a new acting secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs.
Dickson Guina is the new acting secretary, taking over from outgoing secretary, Munare Uyassi.
The management, staff and advisors of the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs gathered this morning to hear from the new Departmental Head.
Mr Guina has been acting in the position since 9 July, however he is not new to the environment, having served as Deputy Secretary under the outgoing Secretary for the past 3 years.
Mr Guina thanked the government for the appointment. He then went straight to business, voicing the concerns of Provincial Governors.
He said that from a recent Governors’ convention, there are concerns that there is lack of performance from district administrations.
The challenge also streams down to a lack of capacity and a public service that does not show commitment at the local government level.
Mr Guina said immediate change was essential.
Deputy Secretary for DPLGA, Julius Wargirai, reminded the staff that the focus of government is now on Districts and LLG’s.
The mission of the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs is to provide the vital links between the National Government, Provincial Government and the Local Government levels while empowering and building their capacity to better serve the people.
In the meantime, a formal handover-takeover ceremony between outgoing Secretary Uyassi and incoming acting Secretary Guina is expected to take place this Friday.
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