Building of Jimi health centre stopped
 

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
ABOUT 13,000 people in Middle Jimi, Western Highlands province, have been without health services since last month.
The old Tapi health centre building was torn down last month by Akin Builders to erect a new one that would cater for the growing number of patients.
But construction came to a standstill after the district account was frozen, allegedly by new MP Goiya Wake early last month.
Concerned leader from Jimi Paul Igogo, who claimed to be a public servant working in the district, told The National last Friday there was no money to pay the contractor to speed up the renovation work on the building.
Mr Igogo said people seeking medication had to go to Kudjip or Mt Hagen hospital for treatment, which were both a long walk from Jimi.
He said some people turned to traditional bush medicine for minor ailments.
Mr Igogo claimed he didn’t know when the district administration would pay the contractor to finish the renovation work so that the health centre could proceed with its services, especially to those from remote areas.
He said they expected the renovation work to be completed quickly to allow the centre to continue operating.
Mr Igogo said they didn’t know when the bank would unfreeze the district account so that the administration could access the funds and pay the contractors.
He claimed that renovation of the centre was funded by former MP Francis Kunai.
Mr Igogo also said that local companies constructing the Kilmone bridge at Kaul village were still waiting for their payment from the district administration.
He claimed that if the villagers removed the bridge, travel along the road would be completely cut off with services to Middle and Lower Jimi grinding to a halt.