Kramer responds to comment

I WRITE in response to the Letter to the Editor in The National on Jan 26 which asked ‘Where is Madang district heading?’
Although I’m not in the habit of replying to Letters to The Editor, this one by a person claiming to be a ‘Very Concerned Mogoi Citizen’ provides an opportunity for me to share a number of summarised messages with the author and other Madang residents.
My priority since being elected and sworn in as Madang MP has been to implement a new approach to delivering much-needed services to the people.
It is a bottom-up approach, establishing strong governance and capacity structures at the community level integrated into clan system, and administered by existing and emerging leaders.
This structure will ensure sustainability and hold accountable MPs.
If time permits, I will provide details of these initiatives in future publications, however, for now suffice to say, we cannot build big on a weak foundation.
Regarding the letter writer’s reference to the use of consultants: The team I have put together has specific knowledge and skills I require at this time to push the district’s plans forward.
All their contracts are short-term because we are very aware of the use of development funds.
Their salaries are 50 per cent to 75 per cent less than what their qualifications and experience would earn them elsewhere.
This is a reflection of their commitment and mine to Madang.
I am mindful that the tact of certain people who oppose my leadership has changed.
They have realised that being aggressively combative in mainstream or social media with untruths is a losing battle.
They now pretend to be more objective in their commentaries, which are often under aliases or pen names, but the tone and issues always give them away.
I trust that our ‘Very Concerned Mogoi Citizen’ is not one of them, and invite him or her to meet me to discuss any other concerns he or she might have.

Bryan Kramer
Madang Open Member