New Ireland Provincial Administrator Richard Andia has assured the people of New Ireland Province that the Provincial Administration is ready to serve under the legitimate leadership of Governor Byron Chan.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Port Moresby alongside Governor Chan and senior provincial government representatives, Andia confirmed that he has received formal directives from the Minister and the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs regarding the leadership of the province.
“First of all, before I proceed to some of the minister directives that have been issued to me, let me congratulate the Governor. Now you are legally legitimate,” Andia said.
He stated that as Provincial Administrator and Head of Public Servants in the province, his role is to implement directives issued by the relevant ministry.
“As a Provincial Administrator, my job is to implement the directives as per the ministry and the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs. I am here to support the Governor,” he said.
Andia revealed that close to five directives were issued to him.
The first directive instructs him and the Provincial Assembly Clerk to immediately organize and implement the swearing-in ceremony at the New Ireland Provincial House of Assembly.
The second directive requires him to organize a proper handover–takeover ceremony immediately after the swearing-in.
The third directive states that any instructions or directives previously given to him by former Governor Walter David Schnaubelt have lapsed as of the date of the new directive.
“And so from now onwards, I will only be working with the legitimate Governor,” Andia stated.
He added that failure to implement the directives would have legal consequences for him as an administrator.
“If I don’t implement these directives, I would also be implicated as an administrator by law, so I have to implement these directives,” he said.
The fourth directive requires him to submit a full report on the swearing-in and related processes to the Minister’s Office by 10 March 2026.
Andia also clarified that a previous letter issued by the Secretary for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs dated 9 February 2026 is now of no effect, as the latest directive supersedes it.
He reaffirmed that the Provincial Administration will comply fully with lawful instructions and move forward in unity.
“As the Head of Public Servants in the province, I want to assure our people that the Provincial Administration is ready to serve the legitimate Governor for New Ireland Province,” Andia said.
He also appealed to public servants across the province to remain professional and continue carrying out their duties in accordance with the Constitution and relevant government directives.
The announcement signals a coordinated and lawful transition process as New Ireland Province prepares for the formal installation of Governor Byron Chan.