I will restart where I left off: Soso

FORMER Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso claims she had started initiatives to bring basic services to Eastern Highlands villagers.
“This, I am doing, with the setting up of women associations in the 264 wards, I had also provided seed funds for the associations.”
Julie said the funds were to get women in rural areas to venture into small income-generating activities to sustain their livelihood.
“This was what I did and left off after failing to get reelected in 2017,” she said.
“Every ward council received money directly from my office, both men and women.
“I will resume where I left off if I am re-elected in this general election.”
Julie said General Election 2022 candidates could promise to provide for everyone, but for a province like Eastern Highlands, it would be a very difficult task because funds are lacking.
“We need money for all basic services such as clean water, proper sanitation, healthcare, housing needs, education, law and order, recreational centres, market facilities and transport infrastructure,” she said.
“All will remain a dream, unless an effective strategy is successfully implemented.
Julie is contesting on a National Alliance Party ticket.

Central not benefitting from resources

HIRI-KOIARI General Election 2022 (GE2) candidate Willie Kaeaka says Central is not benefiting from its natural resources because of a lack of leadership in the Government over the years.
“Koiari had been supplying power and water to Port Moresby,” he said.
“But it lacks basic services such as better roads, electricity and water among others.
“We are also supplying Port Moresby with timber, rubber and land but there had been no leadership in Parliament to look after our interest for the past 26 years.”
Kaeaka, a Koiari native spoke to hundreds of supporters and local leaders at his election rally in Goldie-One Mile outside Port Moresby last Saturday.
“It is about time the people stand up, unite and elect someone from Koiari to represent them in the Parliament,” he said.
“A Koiari candidate should take the lead because they are with us and know our problem.”
The newly created seat for GE22 is being contested by 35 candidates.

Kassman positive in contesting for Central regional seat

CENTRAL regional candidate Philomena Kassman believes she stands a better chance as she is the only one from Kairuku contesting the seat.
The businesswoman and independent candidate, who had contested the same seat three times previously, was hopeful that her practical solutions for economic empowerment and addressing lawlessness in communities were what Central’s rural populace needed.
Philomena is one of three women and 18 men, including Governor Robert Agarobe, contesting the provincial seat.
Given the number of candidates she had contested against previously, she reckoned she had not done badly.
She came third in 2007, fourth in 2012 and eighth in 2017.
“In this election, I see a difference,’’ she said.
“People want good leaders.
“Churches are praying.
“Life is not good for the people anymore.
“Women and youths especially are tired and want a difference.”
Philomena said after three previous attempts, she was tired but was convinced by people in her district to contest.
She said her main motivation was to help rural people, especially youth get out of poverty and petty criminal activities, something she had done before.
In 2007, she bought 17 trucks initially to provide cleaning services to the National Capital District but when she did not get the contract, she put the trucks to serving Central communities.
Not only did the trucks transport people and goods between Port Moresby and the districts, they were also used in maintaining rural roads.
Philomena said the road maintenance programme was quite effective and enabled people to bring their produce to markets.
A number of young men were also engaged in the running of the trucks and learned basic mechanical training from operating the trucks.
“That was one way youths were engaged and contributed to their communities,” Philomena said.
“I would like to continue and expand that kind of service and activities if I’m successful in this election,” she said.
She planned to set up youth centres in each of Central’s five districts which were an important part of her policy and vision.