WESTERN PROVINCE DECLARED LLG PRESIDENTS AND TOWN MAYOR

BY KENNY ROMANUS

WESTERN province officially declared a total of 9 Local Level Government Presidents and a town Mayor for Kiunga this week as the Nationwide LLG Election draws to conclusion.

Large crowds filled Sare Corner Road in Kiunga yesterday as supporters and residents gathered to witness Western Province Returning Officer Max Paul made the official declaration at the Kiunga Urban LLG Chamber.

The 9 LLG Presidents including the Mayor bringing the total to 10 as declared elected leaders in the 2025 LLG election and were confirmed in the presence of the Provincial Election Steering Committee, North Fly District Administrator Greg Isau, Middle Fly District Administrator Petrus Malongim, North Fly PPC Inspector Anjap Minata, election staff, supporters, and local community members.

Declared Leaders from North Fly District,

Olsobip Rural LLG – Falo Antiok
Star Mountains Rural LLG – Samuel Mereng
Ningerum Rural LLG – Dominic Kadiam
Kiunga Rural LLG – Gom Dewi
Kiunga Urban LLG (Mayor) – Alfred Simon

Middle Fly District:

Bedamuni Rural LLG – Ayago Hilaba
Nomad Rural LLG – Daba Sodu
Pa’a Rural LLG – Ruben Oro
Fly Zibo Rural LLG – Rex Olea
Lake Murray Rural LLG – Sep Galeva

Returning Officer Max Paul thanked assistant returning officers, police, presiding officers, and communities for their cooperation in delivering a smooth and peaceful election.

North Fly District Administrator Greg Isau expressed appreciation to all candidates and congratulated the newly elected leaders.

He encouraged them to foster stronger collaboration between administrative and political sectors, an area he said had been lacking previously.

He also conveyed a message from Provincial Administrator Robert Alphones Kaiyun confirming that the provincial government will fund upcoming census updates to ensure accurate electoral rolls before the 2027 National Election.

While the PPC North Fly Inspector Anjap Minata also commended the orderly conduct of the elections and urged the public to maintain the same level of cooperation in 2027.

He emphasized the pressing need for more police officers in Middle Fly District and encouraged eligible voters to return to their home villages for proper inclusion during census roll updates.

Middle Fly District Administrator Petrus Malongim highlighted the district’s newly formed LLGs, Pa’a, Bedamuni, and Fly Zibo, which were created from within the existing Nomad and Lake Murray LLGs. He praised his assistant returning officers for completing their election processes ahead of other districts.

Addressing the policing concerns raised earlier, Malongim confirmed that construction of a new police station is underway at Nomad, the Middle Fly District headquarters, to improve law and order. He urged the incoming presidents to work in close partnership with district and LLG administrations.

The writs for both North Fly and Middle Fly districts are expected to be submitted to the Electoral Commission later this week.