Rigo North rural local level government (LLG) in Rigo District of Central Province has a new President in Duri Tom after the incumbent President Roger McKenzie was terminated by Minister for Provincial & Local Governments Affairs, Pila Ninigi early this year for non-performance of duties.
Mr Duri Tom was elected President unopposed by 13 ward members who were present at Rigo Council Chambers at Kwikila in a by-election conducted by acting District Administrator & CEO Garo Bala.
The occasion was witnessed by the Secretary for Department of Provincial & local Government Affairs, Dr Alphonse Gelu, senior officials from the department and Provincial Administrator Francis Koaba and his senior officers from the Central Provincial Administration.
Mr Tom after his election said, he wants to work with the incoming Central Governor and member for Rigo to deliver much-needed government services to his people in the remote part of the district bordering the Northern Province.
Mr Tom said government services do not reach the remote areas like Dorobisoro, Mt Brown, Barai, Doromu, Wiga and Boku and so he wants ensure basic services reach his people.
“My aim and goal is to work with the Rigo district administration and Central provincial government and administration to develop those areas in my LLG that are untouched and under-developed to bring services to them”, said Tom.
President-elect Duri Tom was later sworn-in as President of Rigo North LLG by Senior Provincial Magistrate Alex Kalandi, last Friday at Central Provincial headquarters in Konedobu.
Mr Kalandi, after the swearing-in ceremony told President Duri Tom, his ward members supporters and family, that becoming a leader comes with responsibilities, and being a leader it is not easy to take on board those responsibilities, people will be watching the kind of leadership you will display.
“I congratulate you on taking this leadership role as President on board and you must be mindful that this is a very important promise you have made today for your people in Rigo, especially Rigo North LLG and people of Central province,” said Magistrate Kalandi.