Jiwaka leaders urged to practice transparency

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 7th September, 2012

By Yvonne Haip
THE people of Kudip, in Jiwaka, want their parliamentarians to be transparent and accountable in the running of the new province and their South Waghi-Anglimp district.
They have put to task local MP Kamun Joe Koim to obtain documents from the Office of Rural Developments and reveal to the people the developments carried out by former MP, Jamie Maxtone-Graham.
They want Koim to outline his five-year development plan so that the people can know what services to expect.
Spokesman and educationist, David Numbaming said the people had the right to know the outcome of their development funds.
“Before he (Koim) starts work, he must allow someone to check books and operational activity for the electorate of how the electoral funds were spent over the past eight years,” he said.
“He must collect reports from Office of Rural Development and present it in public for the people of South Waghi to know if their development funds were paid out or held back.”
Numbaming said for the main idea behind the people’s plea was that there was nothing to show on the ground level and 90% of the people in the district would be happy to know how their money was spent.
He said the people were backing Koim’s victory and would appreciate transparent development initiatives.
Numbaming challenged Governor Dr William Tongamp to set the basis for the young province to step forward on the right footing.
“With the mandate the ball is now in the governor’s hands to select mature professionals to run the administration of the new province and get all necessary mechanisms in place,” he said.
“There are many qualified Papua New Guineans and Jiwakans around to run the administration of the province.
“The people of Jiwaka must cooperate and work hand in hand to establish the province well and get it moving.”