Kulang tells agency off

 By ZACHERY PER

THE termination of vital government services and the failure by state agencies to resume these services is a bad reflection on agencies responsible for government business, a cabinet Minister says.

Kundiawa/Gembogl MP Tobias Kulang said that during a ceremony to mark the resumption of Air Niugini flights to Kundiawa after two-and-a-half-years.

“The failure by a state enterprise to resume flights for three years is a complete disgrace by any service standard,” Kulang said.

Kulang said people who ran state enterprises should be aware of their social, business and economic obligations and responsibilities to the people of Papua New Guinea.

He said in the absence of flights, people in Chimbu were inconvenienced by having to travel to Mt Hagen or Goroka to catch their flights.

Kulang said he was happy that Air Niugini had finally decided to resume flights but the two-and-a-half-years wait was completely uncalled for.

He thanked the Private Enterprises Minister, Ben Micah for demonstrating the government’s commitment to seeing that this vital service was restored.

Air Niugini suspended flights into Kundiawa over safety concerns two-and-a-half-years ago.

The provincial government built a new perimeter fence to make sure the flights are restored.

The provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Niugini to cover the costs of flights which now will be twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturday.