New SHEFA SG says respect is mutual and valuable

A former Labour Commissioner, Lionel Nasome Kaluat, was appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) as the new Secretary General (SG) of SHEFA Provincial Government Council (SPGC) on Monday this week. 

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the PSC for the confidence and trust they had in him to appoint him through their diligent recruitment process.

“The position of an SG is a senior public servant position aimed at giving policy directions towards the development of the province and ensuring that the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) priorities are focused and factored into the sector plans and implemented by provincial government departments like the Department of Local Authorities (DLA),” said SG Kaluat. 

He said the new millennium is marked by a lifestyle that greatly weakens cultural values ​​of livelihood and society.

“I want to change the saying ‘Respect is Honourable’ to ‘Respect is Valuable’ as a new brand of the SPGC,” said Kaluat.

“In the modern phase of this new millennium, a man will respect you only if you demonstrate true value of yourself through the respect you show to others.”

The Acting SG of the Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC), Jonathan Iavere, said it is their duty to appoint public servants to the public service post, and some positions are particularly important, requiring considerable time for appointment.

He mentioned that the position of SHEFA SG was advertised twice previously without success, as few applicants applied. Therefore, the position was advertised again. 

“With the work that they are doing and transparency process, the PSC considered the applicants in three ways: view the applicant’s scope or process of interviewing them, grade the applicants, and then look for the right applicants for the position,” he said.

Mr. Iavere noted that due to the important nature of the SG position, careful consideration is necessary. They must appoint a person with experience in public services, and Mr. Kaluat, having held several positions as a public servant and in politics, is deemed eligible. His appointment on Monday this week acknowledges his seniority as a public servant, given his extensive experience, he added.

Iavere appealed to the staff of SPGC to work closely with SG Kaluat, emphasising the importance of cooperation and collaboration in achieving the council's goals.

The newly appointed SHEFA SG, Kaluat, conveyed his heartfelt thanks to God for His faithfulness. He remarked that this appointment occurred at God’s perfect timing, despite the period it took.

Former Acting SG and now the Assistant SG of SPGC, Mrs. Liah John Kaltoi, reflected on her experience holding the position of Acting SG of the provincial government council. 

She acknowledged that while it was a valuable experience, it also came with its challenges. Mrs. Kaltoi, being a woman, understands the unique challenges women face in leadership roles, particularly in balancing responsibilities at home and at work, especially without assistance.

“It is a new environment as well to work with the councillors, and we know the level of councillors, which is another challenge. But at least we help them, especially promoting good governance in our work all the time, which is something I have emphasised a lot in the council to help each other,” she said. “In fact, I appreciate this unity, echoing the SHEFA Province motto, which states, ‘In unity we progress.’”

“This week marks one year since I have been in the position of Acting SG of SHEFA Province, and now a new SG is appointed. I feel confident enough that if one day the SG has finished his term, I can take over as Acting SG again,” Mrs. Kaltoi added.

In her new role as the Assistant SG of SPGC, Mrs. Kaltoi will focus on staff development and welfare, the development of staff regulations and policies, and ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality in all work undertaken. She affirmed her commitment to supporting the council, completing any remaining tasks, and providing ongoing support to the new SG.

Mr. Kaluat thanked Mrs. Kaltoi for overseeing the office of the SG for a year until when he took on the responsibilities to ensure SPGC continues to function and provide services to the people of SHEFA Province as expected by the government.

Kaluat then used the metaphor of a ‘feast’ to symbolise unity and cooperation among the different tribes of Vanuatu, with a man from South Efate hosting the feast for all tribes that came together here. He suggested that more ‘feasts’ need to be planned and hosted in other areas of Efate to accommodate all the tribes.

“On the island of Efate, a man from South Efate hosted a big feast where every tribe from Vanuatu starting from Banks to Aneityum sat together with him and ate at the feast,” he said. 

“Today, the branches of the big feast are too heavy from all the tribes of Vanuatu who came to sit with him. Before the feast breaks and the tribes have no place to sit and eat with him, it is good for the men of Efate to look around and plan more big feasts in the area of East Efate, North Efate and West Efate to find a place where the tribes coming from South Efate can sit with enough food.”

Kaluat said the men of Efate are ready to plan more big feasts on Efate, but the first thing they should ask of and remind families coming from other provinces is that "Respect has value." 

“When you decide to come and live on Efate, please show the value of your respect to a native of Efate,” he said.

“Today, there are many different issues happening on the island of Efate, especially in Port Vila town and some settlements in Rural Efate, that do not reflect the true culture and character of a man of Efate, in terms of social life, religion, customs, culture, and politics.”

The new SG concluded by saying that, as a native of this land, he will make every effort to work closely with the Efate Vaturisu Council of Chiefs, the South Efate Vatkorpau Council of Chiefs, and the Chiefs of Shepherds and Epi to give back the value of respect to the custodians of SHEFA Province. 

This is to ensure that the people of SHEFA can safeguard the fundamental rights of everyone to live in peace and harmony as true citizens of this nation of Vanuatu, with the natural smiles that God has given them, which makes the country deserving again the title of the “Happiest Place on Earth”.

“Respect is valuable,” said SG Kaluat. “People will respect you only if you respect others.”