Candidate wants to see more done for Usino-Bundi

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
LIKE most, Usino-Bundi’s main concern is the total lack of government services in their area despite it being earmarked as future mining-boom country.
That saddens John Tigavu, one of the youngest candidates in the election 2012 at age 26 years.
He is the son of former Kurumbukari landowner chairman, the late David Tigavu.
The senior Tigavu was instrumental in bringing about changes to the remote and isolated locals in the undeveloped Kurumbukari and surrounding mountainous border areas close to Chimbu province.
Trying to pursue his late father’s wish and continue his work, son John decided to give the elections a shot.
His father’s vision was to ensure the Bundi people enjoyed their wealth from their land.
Whether John will succeed in this election, he is in 15th spot at present, is another matter but he believes he has learnt a lot.
He says corruption is rife and cash handouts have clouded the judgments of people to choose quality leaders.
“I’ve found out that in this game, you trust no one. To be a politician, you can’t trust anyone.
“On any given day, help is always extended to those in need, my father always did that, and banking on his generosity, I thought the favour would be returned in the form of votes but that was not the case.” 
“Vote-buying is rampant and everyone follows the trail and smell of money. Money has impaired people’s vision,” he claimed.
Tigavu said he saw the second choices people made and those were the ones that were made “from the heart”.
“Choice number one is given to those “kaikai moni blo candidate because ol pret” (They have benefitted from cash handouts and are afraid to vote otherwise).
“Usino-Bundi is rich in terms of oil, gas, nickel, gold and copper and we have never heard a squeak on the floor of parliament in the last five years.
“I was hopeful of being that voice”, he said.
Not having as much cash as other heavyweights in the campaign, Tigavu has learnt and will be better when election 2017 comes around.