THE National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) operated without a governing Board for the past 9 years since the NYDA Act 2014 came into effect.
This month marks a historic moment in the corporate life of the organization wherein the Interim Board was installed consistent with the Act.
Minister for Community Development, Religion & Youth, Hon Wake Goi was pleased that the Interim Board was finally established after complying with the statutory process.
He addressed the interim Board Members at their first meeting on Tuesday in Port Moresby.
“Now that Interim Board is established, you have a mammoth task on hand which is the set a clear direction and focus for youth program delivery in the country. We have left our youths behind in most of the governance decisions and this can’t be the case all the way. We must change the way of business and include all categories of people (Children, youths, elderly, women, disabled) in our decision-making processes in relation to service delivery,” said Goi.
Goi lamented it is high time we promote gender equality at Board levels and recognize women as equal participants.
He said promoting gender equality is one of the agendas of this government and his Ministry reflects this by having two women at the interim Board.
The immediate task of the Interim Board will be to work toward establishing a fully pledged NYDA Board consistent with the NYDA Act 2014, and further review the governing Act to align with the new National Youth Policy.
The Members are: Mark Meninga (Highlands), Janet Sios (NGI). Dominica Mai (Chair -Momase), Jack Edwards (Southern) and David Kima (churches).
The interim Chairlady Dominca Mai commended the Minister for appointing a cream of interim Board members that have wealth of experiences in both the government and private sector.
“The appointment of the Board comes at a time when the youth related issues are at its peak on the global arena and PNG is not immune to what transpires at the global stage. We must have strategies in place to domesticate the global youth agenda and I am proud NYDA has revitalized its core business under the leadership of the Minister and his Director General. This now paves the way for the new interim Board to provide the oversight and support with ease, we stand ready to impart our experiences in the course of driving the youth agenda,” she said.
NYDA Director General Joe Itaki welcomed the new Interim Board members and vowed to work closely to accelerate the revitalization of the entity.
“After resuming office 2 years ago, I saw the Board non-existent for the past 9 years hence commenced the process immediately. Finally, we have an interim Board installed now, thus thank you Marape/Basil government through our Minister for the strong political leadership in the social sector,” he said.
