Lelang critical of Govt’s earthquake response

National

OPPOSITION leader and Kandrian-Gloucester MP Joseph Lelang wants the Government to provide leadership and coordination of quick and appropriate response to recent 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit certain parts of Papua New Guinea.
Lelang expressed his sadness and concern about the country’s natural hazards risk management systems and said the Opposition would keep a close eye on this agenda.
“The Opposition will put out a policy position in this area in due course, but we are now calling on Government to bring a report to Parliament on this disaster and inform the nation on how we are positioned as a nation in terms of natural hazards and risks management,” he said.
“I know that many challenges are involved but we must work on what can be improved, like our risk management systems. I want to bring this issue up for national discussion,” he said.
“It concerns me that the full extent of the impact of the earthquake nationwide is yet to be assessed and an action plan in response announced by Government with urgency.
“Assessing and coordinating the response to affected people and all post impact administration is a big challenge that we are all concerned with.”
Lelang said that there should be more proactive decisions done to counteract such instances.
“No warning system to begin with,” he said.
“We must stop reacting after the event without funding, lacking manpower and ineffective coordination.
“Often our government agencies are late and ill-prepared.”