Move to Opposition for good of Central, Agarobe says

The National National

CENTRAL Governor Robert Agarobe says his move to join the Opposition was done for the good of the people of Central.
Agarobe said he was on the Government back benches over the past three years and learned of things that were not right, such as the suppressing of mandated leaders.
He said every member was mandated by the people and they cannot be continuously suppressed by the Government. Agarobe said he crossed the floor with like-minded leaders who had the people’s interest at heart who could make decisions based on the people’s needs.
He said the interests of the people of Central were often brushed aside by the Government.
Agarobe said some concerns by Central people as landowners of Port Moresby were:

  • They have not been benefiting from Port Moresby’s revenues and taxes;
  • the development of a city for the Central; and,
  • Improved revenue collection for the province.

“The people of Central have contributed a lot to nation building,” Agarobe said.
“We have provided the land for the nation’s capital, our fathers were some of the first people to become nurses, doctors and teachers like my father who was a teacher.”
“These people contributed a lot but the people of Central are never compensated.
“We provide land for major developments like the PNGLNG and we will provide land for the second and third LNG project but we must be involved.”
Agarobe is from the Tuhia clan of Koairi tribe – the tribe that owns the Sirinumu dam that supplies electricity and water to Port Moresby.