Maru calls for release of funds

YANGORU-Saussia MP Richard Maru wants Prime Minister James Marape to fast-track the release of K10 million allocated for a road in East Sepik.
Maru said the Government had allocated the K10mil last year for the upgrade and sealing of the road into the Sepik Plains where a large scale agriculture project called the Sepik Chicken Grain and Innovation was.
“The purpose of this road is to ensure there is a road to the project site so that trucks will be able to access the place and transport the produce for distribution not only in East Sepik but to the country as a whole,” Maru said.
“Production will begin in May,” he said.
“For the first time we will be supplying chicken and eggs for our own use and for the country as well.
“The contract was tendered, awarded but to this day not a 10t has been paid.”
Maru said the road was supposed to be completed by April before the first production in May.
He thanked Marape for promoting the agriculture sector but said the departments had to walk the talk in promoting and supporting the sector.
However, Minister for Works and Implementation Michael Nali said he was discussing the issue with Maru.
But Maru saying that every time he followed up with Nali, he was busy.
He also called on Marape to look into the issue and release the funds for the road as soon as possible as the Sepik Chicken Grain and Innovation was a company owned jointly by the Government, East Sepik government and the Israel Innovation Company.
Marape said nothing was wrong with raising questions as they were in Parliament to raise questions and get answers.
Marape said the Sepik Chicken Grain and Innovation was a project that not only belonged to the people in the Sepik Plain or East Sepik but had a national effect on the country as it was one of the biggest plains available for agriculture.