Governor switches sides again

 By MALUM NALU

EASTERN Highlands Governor Julie Soso has crossed the floor to join Government.

She has formally resigned from Opposition leader Don Polye’s Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party.

Soso said in a letter to THE Party she was persuaded to do so by the 18 LLG presidents in the province to join the Government because of the:

• Current impasse within her provincial administration;
• withdrawal of funds for her Megabo to Dumpu impact project;
• stalling of plans to redevelop Goroka Market, and,
• Reduction of the provincial service improvement programme funding.

“For the last six months since I crossed the floor to join the Opposition, I have been at loggerheads with the current NEC-appointed provincial administrator (Solomon Tato), which has resulted in a lengthy court appearance, which continues to date,” she said in the letter.

“Ultimately, the public service machinery in the province, service delivery and completion of several high-impact project have come to a standstill.”

Soso said K10 million appropriated for the Megabo to Dumpu Road was withdrawn by the Works Minister.

“In December of 2014, K5 million held with the Department of Works was withdrawn, and in February 2015, the remaining K5 million parked with the provincial works office was retrieved.”

Polye yesterday accused the Government of “meddling” in the affairs of Eastern Highlands.