Absence of services shocks Maru

NATIONAL Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru was shocked to see that the once thriving Aiome Station in Madang’s Middle Ramu has been without basic government services.
“I cannot believe that these people are living without any basic services.
“There is no government presence, everyone is operating out of Madang.”
“And without a road link, it takes up to 10 hours to get to Madang to access services.
“This is shocking.”
Maru with Defence Minister Solan Mirisim were at Aiome on Wednesday to see the progress of the work being carried out on the Baiyer-Madang road.
They saw first-hand the urgent need for change in the area, starting with the road that will open up the area for vital services and economic activity.
District Administrator, Barnabas Mikikmaong said it’s been five years since public servants left the station.
The District Treasury Office had burnt down and the officers had been relocated to the Madang Provincial headquarters in town.
Following that, the District Administration also relocated to Madang town because of difficulty in communicating with the officers in town.
Maru is now adamant that the Baiyer-Madang road be completed to address the need for basic services.
According to the PNG Defence Force Engineering Battalion Aiome/Simbai detachment there was no communications network in the area because the existing tower had been vandalised.
As a result, the officers have to rely on Defence Force radio to communicate with base.
The airstrip is covered by vegetation and law and order in the area is handled by a lone police officer.
The PNGDF team had to step in to address law and order issues in the area and assist with health care matters.