By JAMES KILA
A GROUP of Eastern Highlands officers have been accused of failing to properly assess the damage caused by a hailstorm in the province recently.
Church elder Maxon Tovenafa said the officers failed to visit Akagimi, a census division, situated towards the Goroka side of the mountain range.
He said they stopped at the foothills where they asked some boys to collect some damaged leaves and coffee plants for some photographs.
Mr Tovenafa, who travelled an hour to Goroka to talk to The National, said the hailstorm damaged food and coffee gardens.
He, however, did not report any casualties or damage to houses.
The hailstorm is believed to be the same one that struck Nupagimi in the Henganofi district, two weeks ago, injuring at least three persons and damaging houses and crops.
Mr Tovenafa said a Goroka-based writer visited the area and compiled a report to help the villagers.
He criticised the officers for shirking their duties.
“We expect officers from authorities concerned to go to the affected area and assess the situation rather than playing monkey business,” he said.
The freelance writer, Sapa Metta, confirmed Mr Tovenafa’s claims.
The National was unable to contact the Provincial Disaster Office in Goroka for comment.
Mr Tovenafa said the hailstorm hit Nupagimi, Corner Bena and Akagimi, which have a population of about 5,000 people.