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Nilkare: Nationals to push for return of village services dept
By ZACHERY PER
A PNG National Party-led government would strive to revive and restore
the village services department initiated in the 1990s but had since
gone into hibernation.
Prominent businessman and former politician John Nilkare revealed this
during a PNG National Party rally in Omkolai in the Gumine district of
South Simbu last Friday.
Mr Nilkare said PNG National Party had strong policies in reviving and
strengthening services meant for the rural areas of PNG.
He said if he wins the Gumine seat and is in the engine room of a PNG
National Party-led government, the village services department of the
Government would be revived for efficient services to filter down to the
village level.
Mr Nilkare, who once led the National Advancement Party in the 1990s
succeeded in establishing the Village Services Department, aimed
primarily at delivering goods and services to the village level.
He is still a strong advocate for village services and is adamant that
if his party gets into government, the programme would be revived.
He told a big gathering at Omkolai that they would ensure that village
court magistrates, peace officers, peace mediators and councillors were
put on fortnightly payroll.
“Funds earmarked for the district would be channeled from Waigani
directly to the respective districts,” Mr Nilkare said.
He challenged the people of Gumine that if they voted him to be their
MP, he would ensure all deteriorating roads and bridges would be
maintained before December this year.
“If I fail to deliver this promise to you, I will slaughter several cows
and pigs for you, and if I succeed in delivering my promise, you the
people of Gumine will slaughter
the pigs and cows for me,” Mr Nilkare said.
The former Gumine and Simbu Regional MP said Simbu province had a lot of
highly educated professionals who were working outside.
“A National Party-led government would ensure the creation of an
environment attractive enough to bring them back to serve their own
people and their country.”
The Gumine seat is currently held by People’s National Congress (PNC)
party man Nick Kuman.
Simbu Regional’s People’s Progress Party candidate Aiwa Olmi also
attended the rally and spoke to the people about his aspirations.
 
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