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New outfit for Simbu Administration
Story by: Amb. Aiwa Olmi, OLP O Box 6140 Boroko, NC 
People know that the morale of Simbu Provincial Administrations is at its lowest, characterised by intense ethnic contention, bickering for positions, incompetence exhibited by officers, propensity toward self-interest in dispensing goods and services, and embezzlement of public funds. Likewise, political patronage and administrative inefficiency have hampered service delivery, while people's misery over the years had intensified with no sign of abating. As a concerned Simbu, I contemplated on how best I could rectify the situation. I took the bold step to compete in the national election, at least three times, in the hope to provide a political solution to this debacle. As an ambassador, a one time deputy secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and leading many semi-government institutions, I present myself to the people as a better candidate. Unfortunately, people value elections differently. I learned that my election foes were the Simbu civil servants, those around me who share my food and drink have turned against me out of sheer jealousy. Currently, I am the Managing Director for Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and the job gives me the greatest satisfaction. I am directly involved with the grassroots people by assisting them to save what they earn from their produce and improve their livelihood; that's why I did not send in an application for the position recently advertised for the Simbu Provincial Administrator. As such it gives me the freedom and neutrality to express what I feel is the best principle of appointing a Provincial Administrator that can improve the situation. Furthermore, I thank the Somare-Temu government for providing the most-needed infrastructure support for Simbu as the K20 million for Kundiawa-Karimui road and K4 million for the Kundiawa town roads sealing. I am confident that the government of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will give a new Provincial Administrator to Simbu as a New Year's gift. Highlighted below are some points to be considered in the screening process, so that the appointment is based solely on merit of a suitable qualified candidate. 1. Political patronage should not be entertained in the appointment process. The process should be left to the competency of the people in DPM and PSC. Bribing people to hijack the competent process must be ferociously combated. 2. People screening applicants should look beyond what is presented in the CV, and engage in a rigorous character check. Due to high level of corruption, most screening in the private sector prefers applicants with good character before academic qualifications. Applicants accused of defrauding the State must not be recommended at all. 3. The new Administrator should bring along a new vision and values. The candidate should have national and international exposure and must have some years of experience in a senior executive management position in a government or semi-government institution with an excellent track record of managing programs and projects worth over millions. Preferably, he or she should posses a post-graduate qualification. 4. The Simbu people need an Administrator with impeccable integrity. The first area to ascertain integrity is to look at his or her marriage and family life. Is the aspirant married once? Does she or he have a stable family? Would his or her actions and character bring disrepute to the administration? 5. Applicants affiliated to or are part of the faction that has destroyed the Simbu administration in the past should not be appointed. The appointment will only perpetuate and reincarnate old grudges. The new Administrator must be somebody fresh, somebody other than those in the current Administration. 6. The applicant should be somebody who has demonstrated strong ethical and moral principles in managing public servants within the Public Service Management Act. The desired nominee should be a person who commands the respect from the general public as well as those in the administration. 7. Such a candidate should utilize his or her experience and knowledge of public administration in order to complement the good intentions and leadership of Governor Fr. John Garia. The Simbu Administration will not change, and the people of Simbu will continue to suffer as a consequence if the above points are not considered. Politicians of Simbu should forgo their vested interest in a nominee, and allow an independent, neutral and critical process so that the new Provincial Administrator is someone who can lead Simbu to new heights in development and bring about positive changes in the administration. Finally, Simbu people have suffered long enough and we should expect change for the better. Therefore, I invite political leaders and concerned people, especially Simbu people to further comment and deliberate on this significant issue. I can be contacted on B Mobile 6816320, Digicel 72590958, and e-mail: fpd.generalmanager@global.net.pg |
EDITORIAL
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