Kunabau locals upset with MPs for not fulfilling commitments

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
THE Kunabau people in the Chimbu’s Kerowagi district have labelled their local MP Guma Wau and Governor Fr John Garia as “Mr Commitments”.
The villagers during a homebrew-surrender ceremony at Dimbinyando on Saturday gave their leaders this new name after they allegedly failed to honour their commitments made in 2009 at Duglogambal.
The Waugla Muguaku tribesmen said during a drug and homebrew awareness programme initiated by former provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop, the two leaders were among guests who made commitments to the people but never fulfilled them.
The community leaders said Wau, who is now  Defence Minister in the Peter O’Neill administration, promised to give K10,000 to the Kunabau leaders to assist them in their fight against marijuana and homebrew.
Garia promised the people that he would allocate some money to offer as reward to the people who provided police with information that successfully led to the arrest of those cultivating marijuana or producing homebrew.
Community leader Otto Vitus said the commitments were made in front of a big crowd including school children from Mingende Primary, Technical College and Kondiu Secondary School.
But after two years, the people were yet to see the two leaders fullfil their promises.
Vitus said marijuana and homebrew were the main cause of law and order problems in the Kunabau area. The community leaders without government assistance have worked hard to contain the problem.
He said the community leaders were volunteering to maintain order.
He said if the elected leaders were serious in assisting them, then they must come forward with the money and other resources to help instead of making false promises.
He said the community was ready to work with any government agency on projects that would help the people improve their living standards.