Lae city bill heading for Parliament

 By MALUM NALU

THE Lae City Commission Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament this week after Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc met stakeholders last weekend.

Sir Manasupe met members of the Morobe provincial executive council, Ahi landowners and settlement representatives in Lae.

Sir Manasupe told The National that it was all systems go for the commission. He will be recommending to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to introduce the bill in Parliament this week.

He said he had to go to Lae as a special envoy for O’Neill after all the controversies and accusations about the commission in the media last week, especially against Lae MP Loujaya Kouza.

He said the commission was O’Neill’s concept.

Sir Manasupe said he met settlement leaders, councillors and chiefs of the landowner at Butibam and Kamkumung villages on Saturday.

Yesterday, he met members of the provincial executive council, including deputy Governor Judas Nalau and Lord Mayor Koim Trilu Leahy.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru did not attend.

“All the members of the PEC who were raising issues were there and I explained the issues to them,” Sir Manasupe said.

“They appeared to be satisfied with the explanations. I think I have, on behalf of the Government, well and truly consulted with all the stakeholders.

“The indication I’m getting is that it’s okay to proceed and that’s what I’ll be bringing it up to the Prime Minister.

“You must understand that provincial government fears that the establishment of the commission will lead to Lae being taken away from Morobe province are not true.

“Lae is part of Morobe and the whole of Morobe will continue to benefit from GST and other revenues.

“This is not a government, but an entity, a statutory organisation that will have powers to carry out all the municipal responsibilities.”

Sir Manasupe said the commission would cover a large area stretching into the Huon Gulf, Nawaeb, and Markham districts.

He said the city was expanding and that was the way to develop.

Sir Manasupe said what happened in Lae would be replicated in Mt Hagen which would get city commission status too.