Torot awarded for serving Madang since 1974

The longest public servant in Madang, Peter Torot has called on the provincial administration to employ public servants from other provinces to serve in Madang.

Having served the people of Madang for more than 40 years, Torot believes nepotism and unfair distribution of basic services most often occurs because locals are being employed in the public service of the province.

Peter Torot has served the people of Madang since 1974, at the tender age of 19 and boasts of being one of the first public servants to discover the lost Hagahai tribe of Madang, who lived at the border of Western Highlands, Madang, Enga and East Sepik provinces, in the mid-80s.

With his four-decades of public service experience, Mr Torot believes that public service jobs must not be localized.

“Today, the provincial administration jobs are mostly localized which have its own setbacks.

“Public servants are not working as they were always busy with their wantoks and other related issues.”

He said during his younger working years, many jobs within the provincial administration were overseen by people from other provinces.

 With Governor Peter Yama at the leadership helm, Mr Torot believes that many good changes will happen for Madang.

“The leadership of Governor Peter Yama will definitely bring change to the province.”

He described Governor Yama as a straight shooter who don’t deal with corrupt officers and always put them to task.

Mr Torot was also among recipients of the Queen’s Award and his achievement was celebrated during the recent independence celebration in Madang.

Next month, he retires from active public service, having reached his retirement age.

As he prepares to depart the public service, he said the leadership vision for Madang province is good and calls for a united effort from all Madang leaders to make that vision a reality.

Author: 
Freddy Mou