Hides PDL 7 board sworn in

After waiting nearly a decade, the Hides PDL 7 Special Purpose Authority (SPA) Board has finally been sworn in.

Furthermore, the Board has elected a chairman as well.

This has been signalled as a momentous occasion for the people of PDL 7 with the Board stating that this will bring the government more closely to the people.

The event was held in Port Moresby last night.

Landowners representing the 10 blocks of PDL 7 were finally sworn in yesterday in what has been described as ‘long time coming’.

Witnessed by the Department of Inter-Government Relations, judicial services and fellow clansmen, the Hides PDL 7 SPA Board then elected its first chairman, Andy Hamaga.

Hamaga stated that the Board now has a big challenge ahead of them.

He says as the duly elected chairman, their major challenge would be to address issues within the Hides PDL 7 Project Area.

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, called on the Hides PDL 7 SPA to work closely with the Local Level Governments (LLG).

 He said LLGs and SPAs were key Government institutions because they remain close and visible to the people, however, many a times both do not work together or there is misuse of funds.

He cautioned the Hides PDL 7 SPA that he will not hesitate to invoke ministerial powers if this happens.

“If I see that things are not working properly, I have the power to suspend the board. And let me reaffirm once again that the core function of the Authority is to serve as the implementing arm of Komo LLG,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, Hamaga thanked former Hela governors, the Late Anderson Agiru, and Francis Potape, for their efforts in having Hides PDL 7 established as a separate entity and pushing for its own Authority.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole