By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
PEOPLE have not received yet any relief assistance since the flood devastated Oro province eight days ago, provincial disaster coordinator Thompson Manuda said yesterday.
“It was only yesterday that (Wednesday) there was one mass distribution of supplies.
“But that one came from a helicopter which was not coordinated … we do not know where those relief supplies went to.”
The state of relief distribution in the disaster area was disclosed by Mr Manuda while briefing State of Emergency controller Col Vagi Oala, Inter-Governmental Minister Joseph Pomat and PNG Defence Force commander Commodore Peter Ilau at Vudal Agriculture campus in Popondetta.
He admitted there was confusion among the politicians and provincial bureaucrats on how to manage relief goods distribution.
“And the situation report that we have are from areas that have radio links and managed by the Health division.
“We do not know about those that have no radio link.”
Col Oala said since he was in control now, he wanted all public servants to co-operate with him.
“I will not hesitate to deal with the officers who do not comply with rules that had been sent out under the SoE.”I now need data and statistics … I want to know the number of infants, adults and children so that the right amount of food supplies are sent.
“It is not good to report only the figures … we want to know who are to receive them so we won’t just send just rice but milk as well because we know there are babies.
“And we have to know where the food supplies are going.”
Col Oala will be assisted by two deputies that included acting Oro administrator Paula Amono and Morobe Administrator Manusupe Zurenuoc, who will be coordinating the shipment of supplies from Lae.