Chimbus en route to deliver grievances to Zurenuoc

A GROUP from Chimbu, headed by administrator Joe Kunda, is expected in Port Moresby today to present the landowners’ grievances to chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc.
The frustrated landowners had blocked about 20km of the Highlands Highway between Chuave and Dumun last Thursday because the national government did not honour a K68.7 million claim.
This money was for outstanding payments under the Highlands Highway rehabilitation programme carried out in the province since 2006.
Normal traffic and commercial transport laden with goods were left stranded in Goroka, Kundiawa and Mt Hagen during the roadblock.
The locals felled trees and rolled rocks out onto the road in protest. But, after successful peace talks with police and provincial authorities, normal traffic was restored about 4pm.
Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said last Friday afternoon the locals met with police and aired their grievances to the provincial administration.
He said it was decided during the meeting that Kunda and his team travel to Port Moresby to meet with Zurenuoc and the relevant government authorities.
He said the landowners had agreed on all the suggestions and were now waiting for a response from the government.
The administrator and his team assured the locals that they would ensure their grievances were brought to relevant authorities to be addressed.