Mori’s multi-million kina push to get Chimbu on top

 By MALUM NALU

CHIMBU will no longer play a backstage role to the other Highlands provinces, Chuave MP and Mining Vice-Minister Werah Mori says.

He said Chimbu would be right there among the top when the Chuave limestone project started producing.

Mori’s Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party leader, Treasurer Don Polye, announced later that a feasibility study would be carried out on the Chuave limestone project this year at a cost of K28 millon.

“I have signed and given instructions for K28 million for a feasibility study for this project,” Polye told hundreds of people at Chuave on Friday.

“I thank the governor (Noah Kool) and the vice minister (Mori) for coming and talking with us.

“I want this lime and cement project to go ahead. Before the end of 2014, I want work to begin on this lime and cement project.”

Polye announced K5 million for Yawe Moses Secondary School, K6 million for a backroad from Chimbu to Unggai, in Eastern Highlands, as well as an undisclosed amount for the SME Policy.

Mori said: “In Chimbu, we have become mere spectators in terms of economic development.

“Sufficient to say we have provided a lot in terms of labour, but it has now come to an opportunity we have to develop the resources we have in the province.

“I’m thankful to the government, of which my leader, the treasurer, has played a very significant role to give recognition to the people of Chimbu for the limestone project we have.

“For the last 18 months, I’ve wasted my time in court, I’ve not done anything in Chuave.

“Now that the court is over, it’s time for me to deliver to you, my people of Chuave.

“This is also the start of a new beginning. It will be a new Chuave.

“Since independence, Chuave has gone backwards.

“Under new leadership, under me, there will be innovations.

“We must develop opportunities and resources that we have. We don’t have oil, gold and copper.

“I have pumped in K150,000 to develop eco-tourism.

“The biggest thing that will happen, not only in this district but the province, is when we develop and exploit the limestone resources that we have here.

“It will be for at least 60-100 years, as long as that resource remains.

“This will change the economic landscape of Chuave, Chimbu, and PNG because as and when it happens, Chimbu will no longer be a liability to the state but will be an asset.”