Appointment upsets leaders

 By GABRIEL LAHOC 

THE appointment of Lae MP Loujaya Kouza to chair the Lae City Commission interim body has not gone down well with the Morobe provincial executive council.

Deputy Governor Judas Nalau said the appointment made by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last Friday was done without any consultation with the provincial government.

Nalau, mayor Koim Trilu Leahy, Ahi local level government president David Agi, Wain-Erap LLG president Charlie Foike, Labuta LLG president Paul Itama and Wapi LLG president Isaac Garngo voiced their disappointment during a media conference on Saturday.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru was absent but it is believed they have his support.

The leaders claimed that the manner in which Kouza had been handling the proposed commission was not in the interest of the Ahi and rural Morobe people. The leaders said while they respected O’Neill, they must be consulted on steps taken on setting up the commission because they were all stakeholders and would be affected. 

They had initially opposed the proposal but agreed to support it after talks with O’Neill last Wednesday in Lae.

Nalau said they could still stall the proposal and work on the draft bill, which would be presented to them.

Nalau said: “Our concern is that give us time to talk and be involved and must be respected. Do not rush us. If there is no consultation, we are lying to ourselves and the people.”

Kouza said all statements on the Lae City Commission should come from the PM’s office.

She said briefly in a text message: “As Lae MP I am happy to concentrate on my electorate.”

She plans to “cut a good deal for the 14 clans of Butibam and Kamkumung”.