MP intends to help people affected by rain, flooding

 By JAMES APA GUMUNO

KAGUA-Erave MP James Lagea has put aside his family matters and is attending to people affected by heavy rain and flooding in his 

electorate.

Despite the death of his father on Sunday, the local MP told the disaster victims that he would help them with building materials, restore roads cut off by landslips and provide relief supplies. 

Lagea told the people of Wapusalle in Kagua on the border of Chimbu and Gulf that due to bad weather he could not visit them when the Erave River flooded its banks and destroyed their homes and food gardens.

“I am here now to see your needs and assist in rebuilding your lives again,” he said. Lagea said due to bad weather, the relief supplies were grounded in Mendi.

He added that the relief supplies for Mt Kusa and Kele 2 would be airlifted into Wapusalle when the weather improved.

Village chief Sae Lapali told Lagea that his people depended on sago and banana but most of their food gardens were destroyed by the floods.

Lapali said that about 300 people in Wapusalle ward 1 and 2 were badly affected by the flooded Erave River.

“I have four houses over there on the other side Wapusalle airstrip but they were washed away with my pigs, beddings, eating utensils and gardening tools,” he said.

“This is the first time we come across such a natural disaster; in the past, we never come across big natural disaster like this.

“I want to thank you, my member, for personally visiting us and see for yourself the sufferings and pain we go through.”