Undialu wants supporters to stop harassing Hela people

By GYNNIE KERO
PEOPLE of Hela have stopped travelling to Mendi in Southern Highlands and Mt Hagen in Western Highlands because of the harassment on them by people living along the Okuk Highway.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu, pictured, said his people were continually harassed and intimidated by supporters of the Southern Highlands regional candidates living along the Nipa and Poroma section of the highway.
“I call on the people of SHP, especially those living along the Nipa-Poroma section, to stop harassing my Hela people,”  Undialu said.
“Hela has nothing to do with SHP. Why is the roadblock and harassment going on?”
He said Hela had nothing to do with the delay in the SHP regional seat counting.
Hela was part of Southern Highlands before the 2012 general election when it became a province of its own.
Undialu said Hela had assisted in the formation of the government and the appointment of the Prime Minister.
“We have done our part in the formation and government and appointment of Prime Minister (Peter O’Neill),” he said.
The Hela provincial government meanwhile is considering opening the Margarima-Kandep road and the Hiri-Lai Valley Road into Mendi Munihiu which people can use.
The Hiri Lai Valley road has been completed but needs to be sealed.
The same goes for the Magarima to Kandep road.
“I’ve talked to Governor of Enga Sir Peter Ipatas and Kandep MP and Minister Civil Aviation Alfred Manasseh to counter fund it. They have agreed,” he said.