Lack of services leads SHP downwards

 IT is  evident  that the lack of government presence in Southern Highlands has contributed to the breakdown of all government services in the province. 

Essential services such as  health, education, infrastructure, law and order as well as other necessary services  have been deteriorating over the years, going from bad to worse. 

Major hospitals are on the verge of closure and most rural health centres and aid posts have closed due to the lack of resources such as staff, medical supplies and infrastructure. 

Most remote schools have also closed due to poor roads and air transports systems. 

All public servants stay away  from their workplace  and continue to collect their  pay  while  law and  order issues have taken its toll with tribal fights getting out of control and costing lives. 

Now, Mendi, the provincial headquarters and once a very peaceful town, is now becoming a cowboy town ruled by hooligans.

Politicians have really corrupted the province and now all services have deteriorated. 

Business investors  pulled out of the province some  20  years ago and now SHP is reeling. 

The level of education in SHP has also been dropping, compared with other provinces. 

A governor is mandated by the people to work and live in the provincial town of   Mendi, but  this  is  not  the case. 

When governors are elected, they instead enjoy the streetlights of Port Moresby and live away from the province. 

These leaders have been operating on a fly-in, fly-out concept and manage the affairs of the province with a remote control. 

The national government should immediately investigate the affairs of the province to establish the status of its affairs. 

Let us pray that God will one day restore SHP with reasonable government services deserved by the people. 

Andupiri Naiko

Mendi