Agro project in EHP will follow process, says PM

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has told the people of Eastern Highlands that a major agricultural project proposed for the province would have to follow “processes”.
He said a Chinese investor had “shown interest” in the project.
“We have heard a lot about the development of agriculture in Eastern Highlands,” O’Neill said.
“That project is being proposed by the Chinese government but it’s not as easy as we think.
“Our government wants to support this project but I want to know how much money the company is willing to spend.
“Negotiations are not clear, so please do not be misled by the people playing politics over that issue.”
He said Agriculture Minister and Ungai-Bena MP Benny Allen was in charge “and there is a lot of work to be done”.
Meanwhile, O’Neill yesterday gave K5 million for the redevelopment of the Okapa Hospital.
O’Neill told the people of Okapa that the Government would fund all the district hospitals in the country, and Okapa was one of the first to receive the assistance.
“Our member must start this work. We have a programme for all the districts,” he said. “We are giving them K5 million each on top of the K10 million we have given them. This is the kind of innovative programmes happening.”
O’Neill told the people that roads would have to be built to roll out electricity projects.
He urged the people not to demand for compensation when the electricity programme was rolled out because demand for compensation had halted many projects.
“When you demand for compensation you slow down the progress ,” O’Neill said.