Great news for the people of Southern Highlands Province (SHP), the provincial government office will soon relocate back to the provincial capital Mendi.
This was announced by SHP Governor William Titpe Powi just recently on Sunday 15th December 2024.
Governor Powi emphasized that due to certain factors, the provincial government office had been moved to the nation’s capital, Port Moresby; however, it will return as soon as everything is ready after consultation with the Department of Finance and several important offices.
The good Governor and acting Administrator David Kelma have assured the people of Southern Highlands that their office will return to the province.
Mr. Kelma said, “Indeed, it is welcoming news for the people of SHP and all the stakeholders. As soon as the office is in use, plans and visions of reformation and restoration of our province will be easily executed.
“For us to return, we have renovated our government houses and the new plaza as well, and so we are on track to fully return and settle.”
He also urged citizens and stakeholders to welcome the government’s decision with open arms and work collaboratively to deliver much-needed services to the people.
Governor Powi stressed that his government is willing and committed to rebuilding and developing the province by steering the administration in the right direction from 2025 onwards.
However, Governor Powi emphasized that for the province to achieve this, there has to be peace and unity among the people, and law and order must be maintained in the province.
“Rule of law must be maintained before other development eventuates in the province, and so everyone must be responsible for their actions and maintain peace to achieve stability and progress. We cannot continue to move here and there; we want stability to achieve our goals and visions.
“It is not too late; we can always start fresh and develop our province into a role model in the entire Upper Highlands, and to do that we only need to set aside political differences and work collaboratively. The Southern Highlands is not for a particular group or ethnicity; therefore, we must respect our leaders to do their mandated job, Governor Powi said.