Aiga goes for top MKA post

 By MALUM NALU

FORMER National Capital District Commission executive officer Rabura Aiga has put his hand up to be the next president of the Motu-Koitabu Assembly of traditional Port Moresby villages.

Aiga, 56, from Vabukori village, was taken by a large group of supporters to the Electoral Commission office at 4-Mile last Saturday where he was nominated before Motu-Koitabu East returning officer Karo Tiana.

He was NCDC executive officer for 10 years since 1999, until he joined the Yumi Lukautim Port Moresby project.

A filmmaker by profession, he worked with the ABC, the now-defunct Department of Information and Extension Services, he was with pioneer television company NTN, and ran his own media production company before joining the NCDC.

“I decided to contest for the seat of chairmanship of Motu-Koitabu because I feel the people need direction,” Aiga told The National.

“Too much infighting causes instability, that’s why I put my hands up.

“I’ve left NCDC, I’ve sacrificed a job because I feel strongly for Motu-Koitabuans who are the traditional inhabitants of Port Moresby city.

“We lag behind in all facets of development, infrastructure, health, education.

“Some of these are basic rights, but because of the influx of people into our city, we feel that we’re competing with everybody.

“These are areas I want to focus on to try and raise the standard of living for our people, and the economic benefits for our people.

“With LNG coming in, we’re just spectators, yet all the developments are coming through our city.”

Aiga said he would also be pushing for the Motu-Koitabu people to own their own stevedoring company, such as that of the Ahi people of Lae.

“One of my priorities is to get a stevedoring license.

“Our people should be working on the wharf,” he said.