District one of richest but among least developed

 NAMATANAI local level government president Michael Singan says it is a paradox that the district is one of the richest, but yet one of the least-developed in the country.

He alluded to Lihir and other mines located in Namatanai but it remained largely undeveloped, particularly the southern-most parts of Lak in the east and Kandas in the west.

Singan said this to hundreds of people who gathered at Semalu village on the west coast of Namatanai on Friday for the second launching of the K430 million Konoagil oil palm project, after the first launch on the east coast last Tuesday.

“Many of us are well-educated with degrees as lawyers, pilots, accountants, and various other jobs,” he said.

“Our contribution to New Ireland and the National Government is immense.

“One big question that comes to mind is, if God has blessed us with two gold mines and so many resources, why is it that areas such as Lak and Kandas remain as such?”

Singan said the politics of New Ireland was the major factor contributing to lack of development.

“Our politics in New Ireland and Namatanai is stopping us from developing in the way we want,” he said.

“In East New Britain, you will see that when the elections are over, the MPs stop from playing politics and work together to see their provinces progress with the development they want.”

Singan said that was the simple reason why Namatanai was receiving all its goods and services from Kokopo in East New Britain.

“Even our children go to school there, but yet, we have so much money in New Ireland,” he said.

“Why can’t Namatanai provide such services for our children?

“Stop the politics.

“Forty years down the line, we have not developed, because politics has separated us.

“That is why nothing will happen in our villages.”