By Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
Yangoru-Saussia District is the first District, in East Sepik Province, to witness the swearing in of members of its newly enacted District Development Authority, which has now replaced the then Joint District Budget Priority Committee.
The members were sworn into office by the District’s new Magistrate, Pious Tapil, in Wewak early this week.
Local Member and Minister responsible for Trade Commerce & Industry, Richard Maru, was among the members who were sworn into office.
Yangoru Saussia District Magistrate, Pious Tapil, when presiding over the swearing in ceremony stressed to the members that once they are in office, they must be able to discharge their duties without fear, favour or ill-will.
He urged the Members to take their swearing in as a greater responsibility to themselves and the people of Yangoru-Saussia District.
“The DDA will now have powers to sue and to be sued. All public servants working in the District will now report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DDA who was formerly known as the District Administrator. The CEO has powers to hire and fire as well as powers to discipline non performing public servants. This would include teachers, nurses and policemen,” he said.
From now on, the Districts in the country will be taking charge of their own affairs. Under the legislation that govern the new DDA, all powers to hire, fire and the management of our own District affairs will rest on the DDA,” he stressed.
“Our first task is to advertise all the positions in the District and to recruit the best Public servants we can bring into the District. My view as your Chairman is to hire the best men and women for the jobs. It’s not about where they come from,” said Minister Maru.
