MP assists school to remove blockage

 MEMBER for Maprik John Simon is assisting a secondary school to fix its sewerage problem before the 2014 academic year begins.

Maprik Secondary School has been having blockage in the sewerage system which leaked out into one of the creeks in the area that is used by the locals.

This boarding school and a pioneer in East Sepik has endured with the blockade for the past 18 years which has affected teachers and students.

Simon has provided plumbing assistance to fix it as the academy year begins next week.

Maprik Secondary, who upgraded its status in 2011, saw its first Grade 12s graduating in 2012.

 Earlier, the landowners had asked for K4 million in compensation for the damaged caused by the sewerage problem to their water and environment.

“We have had talks with the landowners and came up with an arrangement to have all contracts in the school given to the landowners as their spin-off businesses,” Simon said.

Simon has committed K90,000 to the landowners.

He has encouraged them to seek assistance from the National Development Bank in Maprik.

“By assisting my people, I as the elected national member of parliament am supporting them to build their capacity and to empower them. 

“At the same time, I am helping them to know how to take on responsibilities,” Simon said.

The people have been urged to put their money to good use to benefit from the economic impact project in the district.

“We have set up the Maprik District Credit Scheme with the National Development Bank which will allow the local people to access loans.”