Gary Juffa

Northern Province Governor, Gary Juffa, issued this strong statement at New Ireland’s recent Council of Elders.

Juffa was a special guest at the 10^th Council of Elders summit on Tabar Island, New Ireland Province.

Speaking to 180 local men and women leaders from the 142 wards of New Ireland, Juffa reminded them that they are the custodians of their natural environment. Their unique culture, flora and fauna depends on the decisions that they make today.

Northern Governor Gary Juffa made this call when witnessing the swearing in of councillors and LLG council presidents and the Oro Provincial Executive Council on Tuesday.

“If you are proactive at the community level, Government will effectively function and services will reach our rural population. My leadership is only as good as your proactiveness and active participation in policy and delivery,” Juffa told those present.

Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Governor of Northern Province, Gary Juffa, said concerns raised by doctors, nurses and rural medical workers on the shortage of medicines and basic consumables has been heard.

This public outcry has prompted the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts to conduct an inquiry into the controversies surrounding the awarding of contract to a pharmaceutical firm.

Northern Governor and deputy chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts, Gary Juffa, made this statement following the purported sacking of EMTV’s head of news and current affairs, Neville Choi.

“We are supposed to be a democratic nation where people are supposed to be able to express themselves freely,” stated Juffa.

“Journalists are supposed to report without fear or favour – facts – and we are supposed to promote the principles of democracy that allow for free speech.”

Meantime, Choi has been reinstated today as of 8am.

Speaking at the handover of the province’s acquittals to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD), Juffa said they have only received K39.1 million during his first term as Governor.

The Acquittals reports are for the years 2013 to 2016.

Juffa said his province has not received its full share of the Provincial Support Improvement Programme (PSIP) funds as well as the Special Support Infrastructure Grants (SSIG).

He said between 2013 and 2016, they only received K29.1 million in PSIP and K10 million in SSIG’s paid once in 2013.

Juffa has accused the government for disrespecting provincial governments and making a deliberate effort to dismantle the provincial government system.

Governor Juffa said the creation of District Development Authorities was a significant step in that direction; to remove the powers of the Provincial Governments.

“Disrespect and circumvention of the Provincial Government systems is at the highest ever since PNG gained independence by any National Government.

He said all MPs crossing the bench, had done so because of funding constraints impeding service delivery in their districts.

In a phone interview with this newsroom today, Governor Juffa challenged the recently defected Opposition members of parliament, to ensure service delivery is priority for their people.

He claimed that the Government is using DSIP and PSIP funds to lure MPs to join them.

However, when welcoming the three MPs, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the MPs move to the Government was at their own accord and nothing to do with DSIP and PSIP funds.

Governor Gary Juffa, said foreigners have been using PNG as their point of entry to other countries because our laws are not tough to disallow them entry into the country.

The vocal Governor said a particular foreigner by the name of Kevin Hekai continues to be involved in transnational crimes in the country.

Despite being deported in 2012, he was allowed back into the country in July 2017. 

“This particular guy is now in the country with a multiple business visa, operating his businesses illegally.

The argument stemmed from a question without notice raised by Ijivitari MP, Richard Masere, asking Tomuriesa to clarify the logging issue in the area.

When responding to questions from Richard Masere, Forestry Minister, Douglas Tomuriesa, said the project had been given the ‘green light’ with due diligent but was interrupted by the Provincial member, Gary Juffa.

“We have followed due diligence to award the logging permit and proper documents.”