Hagen Central starts project

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
THE people of Hagen Central are the first in Western Highlands to implement their own project using funds from district service improvement programme (DSIP) funds.
Local MP and Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma gave money directly to associations in his electorate to fund identified projects.
Tribal leaders and executives of the associations said in a press conference on Monday this was a first time for Duma to give money from DSIP directly to the people in rural areas.
The leaders said rural people were now taking ownership of their own projects to improve their quality of life.
Dot Kauga, a leader from Jika tribe and clansman of Kekewate Community Development Association, said if Duma engaged construction companies to build their health centres, classrooms, water supply, connecting electricity supply into his community, they would not get much from the K1 million that he presented to them recently.
He said the people now provided free labour and were involved in the construction of roads, water supply, health centre, classroom and rural housing scheme.
He said some money had been set aside to help people venture into agricultural activities.
Kauga said it was public funds and the people decided how it should be used.
John Pai, Koglmul Development Association treasurer, said the K500,000 given by Duma early last month would help the association to continue provide basic services to the people.
Jack Rombugl, the chairman of the Pinambe Depi Foundation for Development Association, said it was not mistake when Duma gave K1 million to the association early this month.
Rombugl said the people from the different churches in Baisu area took the lead in development in their area.
He said the money given would help them to fund rural houses scheme, buy chain saws and portable sawmill, build roads, connects electricity supply and help strengthen the work of the churches.