President of Hulia LLG, Luke Panguma, from Komo-Margarima district in Hela, has been appointed Deputy Governor of Hela Province.
Panguma took over from Thomas Potabe.
Announcing the appointment on Tuesday in Hela during the Provincial Executive Council meeting, Governor Philip Undialu said the appointment of Panguma was in the interest of the Hela people.
He said the PEC is confident that Panguma will assist the leaders and deliver to the people of Hela.
Incumbent Deputy Governor, Thomas Potabe, who was also present at first Hela Assembly meeting for 2019, accepted the decision and congratulated the new Deputy.
Potabe also accepted the fact that he missed five consecutive Assembly meetings since 2017.
Governor Undialu clarified that under the Organic Law and the Assembly Standing Orders, any Assembly Member who misses three consecutive meetings automatically disqualifies to be an Assembly Member.
He further thanked Potabe for his leadership and understanding and both leaders agreed to work together.
(From left: Tari-Pori MP James Marape, Former Deputy Governor, Thomas Potabe, Governor Philip Undialu and Luke Panguma and members of the Assembly)