Right decision to extend Oro SoE
THE decision by the National Executive Council to extend the State of Emergency (SoE) in Oro by another two months is in the best interest of the province and the people.
The floods caused extensive damage and there are lots to be done in terms of relief and restoration programmes.
It will be very difficult to carry out the programmes without the SoE.
Furthermore, it does not have the kind of leaders who can oversee and coordinate the huge tasks required.
SoE controller Col Vagi Oala and his staff are now doing the job.
It was shameful to learn that the governor voted for the SoE to be lifted, more so when he is hardly in the province to see what needs to be done.
He has not visited the devastated areas, the victims, the relief workers, the health centres and so on.
In fact, he does not live in Oro but in Port Moresby, so he can be considered a foreigner.
Despite the disaster, we can look at it positively as it provides an opportunity for us to use the relief funds wisely and build good and modern infrastructure to put Oro on the right track.
I wonder why the governor wanted the SoE to be lifted so soon.
I thank Tambul Nebilyer MP Benjamin Popanwa, who is the chairman of the parliamentary committee overseeing the SoE, for highlighting the needs of Oro and for supporting the extension.
Credit also goes to three others – Defence Minister Bob Dadae, Nawae MP Timothy Bonga and NCD Governor Powes Parkop – for supporting the extension.

Leiki Miyae, Kumusi Bridge, Kokoda
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