Reinstated Simbu governor appeals for normalcy

By ENNIO KUBLE

SIMBU Governor Michael Dua has appealed for normalcy in the province when he was welcomed back to the province as governor.

Mr Michael Dua specifically mentioned the people of Gumine towards the end of his speech saying the people were good to him by casting more votes to him and hold no grudges against Gumine.

“I went to Gumine Secondary School a year ago during the graduation and made some commitments to the school. Now that I have been installed as Governor by the National Court I will start to look into those commitments to see the school receives some projects,” Mr Dua said.

Mr Dua mentioned Gumine because outgoing governor Noah Kool who is from Gumine contested his election win in court.

And for almost two years since the court took its turns and twists in assessing the 2017 election results for Simbu Regional the people of Gumine were pushed to the peripheral by supporters of Mr Dua and his Enduga tribe living close to Kundiawa town.

The people of Dirima Yani, Del Aina and Kawaleku became the victims. The Gumines access Kundiawa through the background travelling into Sal Nomane and Sinasina Yongomugl districts before reaching town.

Houses belonging to the Gumines located within the vicinity of town were burnt and looted including the high covenant building belonging to Gumine Local Level Government president John Yaa.

Rape and murder attempts were made on a mother of five children Lina Gena and his 12-year-old daughter, while Michael Dulume with his family nearly lost their lives as their vehicle was smashed and trade store goods with cash were looted in day broad light at Wara Market.

All these incidents, which happened early this year, were on record and remained police cases.

Mr Dua said he will be working closely with the provincial administration, the four Simbu MPs who have been awarded with ministries and the districts to ensure basic services are delivered in the remaining two years.

“The Simbu (Kuman) people should not mistreat us the Gumine people. Politics is for big boys and we the ordinary people we remain as one Simbu,” said Joe Goai the representative for Gumine who welcomed Dua as governor into the province in the ceremony last Friday.

The Courts decision two weeks ago in restoring Michael Dua’s 2017 election win and his return to assume office was welcomed by the Simbu Provincial Executive Council through Deputy Governor Peter Gelua and Administrator Michael Temai and over 2,000 people in Kundiawa.