Kouza cannot dictate future of Morobe, Nalau says

 LAE MP Loujaya Kouza cannot dictate the future of Morobe people without a fair and equal debate over the Lae City Commission Bill in the Tutumang (provincial assembly), Deputy Governor Judas Nalau says.

Members of the council joined city Lord Mayor Koim Trilu Leahy for a peaceful protest after a Tutumang was scheduled for Thursday.

Backing Governor Kelly Naru and Trilu, the provincial executive council invited Kouza and her supporters of the city commission bill to attend the assembly and clarify the benefits to people in the 33 local level governments.

Nalau said since the inception of the idea, no copies of the bill was made available to presidents for an in depth understanding or discussed at LLG meetings to ensure rural people were educated with what would take place in their city.

“Lae belongs to 33 LLGs within nine districts and the Tutumang is the only legitimate floor that debates and makes decisions about Morobe people’s destiny,” Nalau said “Therefore, Loujaya, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc cannot dictate Morobe people’s future destiny for their own benefit.”

Members who called for the meeting included Nalau, Daki Mao, Charlie Foike, Trilu, Patrick Bassa, Michael Poane and Philemon Tomala. 

“We are not against the idea but we want fair and equal debate in Tutumang to understand all technical and nitty-gritty of socio-economy aspects before it can be endorsed” Foike said.

“We invite all Morobe national MPs and Loujaya with her cohorts to honestly explain in detail the bill and give us copies of the documents.” 

Mao said that three recent meetings about the commission issue by O’Neill, Sir Manusupe and then legal officers with Naruwere mere consultative meetings.

“Those wereplain meetingswhile they were in town for different purposes at different times and not the Tutumang,” Mao said. 

“Morobe is not owned by Naru and Nalau or Loujaya Kouza and Governor Naru, by his own word as a ‘servant for the people, can never make decision alone after meeting O’Neill and Sir Manasupe – no.”Mao said.

The members of the council appealed to Morobe students in tertiary institutions around the country to be prepared to stand united and rise up for what was best for their parents back home.

“If worse comes to worse, we are prepared to shed blood for our birthright” Mao said.