19/04/2026
*HELA SETS NATIONAL PRECEDENT AS NEW APPOINTMENT POWERS TAKE EFFECT*
Hela Province has become the first province in Papua New Guinea to implement the new appointment powers under Section 73(2) of the Provincial and Local-Level Governments legislation, marking a major milestone in decentralized governance and public sector reform.
The milestone followed the signing of the four-year ( 2026 to 2030) contract for newly appointed Hela Provincial Administrator Mr. Ronny Angu by Hela Governor Philip Undialu, witnessed by Minister for Public Service Hon. Joe Sungi and DPM Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan.
Governor Undialu described the development as a historic breakthrough and thanked the Marape-Rosso Government for decentralizing appointment powers back to the Provincial Executive Council (PEC).
“This is a defining moment for Hela and for Papua New Guinea. Hela is proud to be the first province to operationalize this reform and demonstrate that meaningful decentralization can work,” Governor Undialu said.
Under the amendment, the power to appoint provincial administrators now rests with the PEC, strengthening provincial ownership, accountability, and leadership.
Mr. Angu brings more than 25 years of public service experience and holds dual Master’s Degrees in Education Administration and Public Administration. He is widely recognized for expanding education access, strengthening TVET and FODE, and contributing to Hela’s improved national Grade 10 examination rankings 9th and 10th placings last year.
Governor Undialu said Mr. Angu’s appointment reflects confidence in experienced leadership capable of delivering results.
“We are appointing leadership not for symbolism, but for results,” he said.
In his appointment remarks, Mr. Angu announced immediate reforms, including a payroll audit, human resource review, government asset inspections, and stronger performance enforcement across districts.
He also issued a two-week directive for all public servants on Hela payroll to return to their duty stations or face removal from payroll. He issued instruction to do payroll audits.
“If officers are not at their posts and not performing their duties, they should not remain on payroll,” Mr. Angu said.
Mr. Angu also used the occasion to pay tribute to the generations of public servants who have served Hela Province.
“I want to thank all committed public servants, including security personnel who have served this province — those who have passed on, those who retired while serving, and those who continue to serve today. I recognize your sacrifice, commitment, and service,” he said.
“We stand on the work you have done. Hela Public Service will now reset for the next 50 years, so one day, our children will appreciate what we have built, what we have protected, and what we have done for them.”
Mr. Angu pledged renewed focus on law and order, district services, rural service delivery, and working with political leaders, stakeholders, and development partners to strengthen government performance.
“Our focus is to rebuild confidence in the Hela Provincial Administration,” he said.
Minister for Public Service Hon. Joe Sungi commended Hela for setting a national precedent, describing the move as “reform in action.”
DPM Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan said the implementation aligns administrative practice with the new legal framework and could set the benchmark for other provinces. The DPM Secretary congratulated Mr Angu in his new role as the Provincial Administrator.
The appointment is widely viewed as the first major test of Papua New Guinea’s broader decentralization reforms, with Hela Province now setting the pace for others to follow.
