A FORMER district administrator for Ialibu-Pangia electorate, Jerry David has been appointed as the new Provincial Administrator for Southern Highlands among four other senior government officers that signed their contracts of employment yesterday at the Government House.
David has put in the work within the administration system, from serving as deputy district administrator for Ialibu-Pangia from 2007 to 2009, to district administrator from 2010 to 2011 and then up to deputy provincial administrator for economic and social services from 2012 to 2016.
His appointment as the provincial administrator (PA) was foreseeable for him, he told The PNG Bulletin, given that he had been aiming to achieve this position at some point in his career in public office.
David did resign in 2017 to contest for the Imbonggu Open seat, and then went on to pursue postgraduate studies at the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment. Now, in 2021, after having completed his Masters in Management, and working in consultancy with the National Trade Office in commodity marketing, David returns to public office.
His contract is set for the next four years.
When asked about the change of government, in light of the recent suspension of Southern Highlands Governor William Powi, and how that may impact his role, David said that his position and interests are unaffected by these events and lie solely with performing his duty as PA.
“I hope to work with other relevant stakeholders in the province, such as the recently established United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mendi, to push development in the agricultural sector and create an environment that can foster independence for our people.”
David is hopeful that now, within his capacity, he can help the people of Southern Highlands to work towards achieving economic independence and create opportunities for themselves.
Its pleasure for the people of southern Highlands that we support and work together to develop our province,since for the past years nothing has done and our province interms of cashflow was very low,now people see the capital Mendi is abit improving because of the newly appointed PA Jerry David,a vibrant young leader will do more better than others.