By SAMPSON BONAI
ACCORDING to a former police superintendent, the neglected Tatsi airstrip in Aitape is run-down and should be maintained properly.
“This airstrip should be maintained to allow light aircraft to land so that they may deliver vital services to the people from the far-flung district of Sandaun province,” former police Supt Vincent Tutu said.
He said that more than 30,000 people were affected due to negligence of this airstrip in Aitape.
Mr Tutu said the road network in the area was also in a poor condition.
“We have suffered from a lack of proper services in the area as the only road linking Wewak and Aitape has deteriorated beyond repair over the past five years,” he pointed out.
The former police officer further said that it was the responsibility of the relevant Government authorities to look into the problems of the people and bring about a solution.
He said the airstrip at Tatsi was also covered with bushes and it had not seen any maintenance work being carried out on the runway to allow for aircraft to provide vital health, educational and other services to the area.
Mr Tutu said the people relied heavily on the road network and the air service for the delivery of vital services.
He said the Government should bear the blame for this negligence of proper upgrading of the airstrip and the road network.
“The local people are now fixing their sections of the roads and demanding a toll fee,” he said.
Mr Tutu called on Finance Minister and Aitape MP Patrick Pruaitch to make funding available under his joint district planning and budget priorities planning committee (JDP & BPC) to carry out maintenance work on the deteriorating airstrip and the road to help the people.