Look at assisting maritime provinces

MEMBERS of parliament from the maritime provinces should look into creating beneficial and sustainable programmes that best suit their locality.
Apart from the current Pangu Pati agriculture policy, government should support the fisheries sector so that maritime people can participate by utilising whatever resources they can get to turn them into cash.
The Pangu Pati-led government agriculture policy is a good initiative but it will not work in some parts of maritime provinces.
Agriculture is not a new thing but for coastal and Island people, population and rising sea level have become a major threat to us now contributing to the shrinkage of landmass.
Agriculture does not fit to our surroundings.
We need the Government’s help in utilising marine resources.
The sea is like land to us maritime people and we get money out from marine resources.
This policy will work well in Highlands because of the weather condition, soil fertility, and huge landmass.
This vision will bear fruit as the Government now focuses more on maintaining existing and building new roads for market mobility.
Even maritime provinces, some inland populace will benefit as they too have large portion of landmass to cultivate.
The heart and intention of the Government is at the right place but maritime dwellers will not benefit from the agriculture policy.
We want something different that suits our environment.
The Government will fund and is willing to support any programme brought forward for funding assistance but it all depends on the leaders to initiate, model and align them with national government development plans.

Hanam Bill Sandu,
Wewak Island LLG