MP must come out of her hotel room

 SINCE the beginning of the year, the people of Lae have been wondering where their Member of Parliament has been hibernating.

Throughout January  when the industrial hub was jolted by a spate of brutal killings, Loujaya Kouza was conspicuous by her absence. A few days after the killing of Moanna Barnanga Pisimi, who was allegedly shot in the head by a policeman during a high-speed car chase in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Kouza issued a media statement that surprisingly defended Lae police amid the public uproar in the mainstream and social media.

The MP’s comments were considered to be in bad taste by her Butibam villagers and the wider Lae community. In particular, Moanna’s family felt that “auntie” Loujaya had abandoned them in their time of great sorrow and bereavement.

Kouza’s notable absence during the funeral service at the Ampo Lutheran Church was indicative of her arrogance and disrespect for the grieving family. 

To make matters worse, the “chairperson-in-waiting” of the proposed Lae City Commission continued to stay away from all public engagements in the city throughout January.

As well, she did not utter a word on the other killings, including the alleged murder of long-time expatriate businessman, T T Tang.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru and Lae Lord Mayor Koim Trilu Leahy have had to stand in for the missing MP. Kouza’s media statement in early January was the last time we heard from her until last Friday when she responded to a query via email from The National’s Lae Bureau chief Gabriel Lahoc. This is what Kouza said in response to Lahoc’s questions on her prolonged absence and hotel accommodation:

Q: There has been much criticism against you as the Lae MP for your seemingly lack of presence in your electorate compared to other MPs without ministerial portfolios. You have reminded me as a reporter that last year was your ‘year of political apprenticeship in learning the ropes of national PNG politics’ and that you will be committed to reside and perform your duties as Lae MP. Will you keep to your word and come back to Lae this year, instead of just travelling in to officiate at meetings and programmes?

A: MP Lae is going to reside in Lae but commute to Port Moresby for meetings as her housing has been sorted.

Q: There is criticism that you have spent much of your residency here in Lae in hotels and not in your own home compared to your predecessor Bart Philemon. How are you funding your accommodation at the Lae hotels, are your hotel accommodation costs covered by Lae district funds or are you funding them privately? Please explain.

A: Administratively, MP Lae has had to make do because her property/house were destroyed by spouse and supporters despite personal problems. She has been able to deliver services using admin discretionary & salary and PNC Party help. 

We can only describe Kou­za’s response as pathetic. Her clarification yesterday that she was paying for her own hotel bills, with a little help from PNC, doesn’t justify her prolonged absence.

Kouza’s reasoning that she had spent more time in Port Moresby “learning the ropes” of national politics in her previous role as Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development just does not make sense.

It is imperative that all MPs attend to their electoral duties and responsibilities, regardless of whether they are ministers or backbenchers. They were elected to serve the people. If Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who is considerably busier than his ministers, can make time to be visibly present in his remote Ialibu-Pangia electorate regularly, why could not Kouza do likewise?

Woeful excuses will not do her any good. 

It’s time for Kouza to stop hiding in hotel rooms and prove she can fill the huge shoes left by her predecessor, Bart Philemon.

As PNG’s key industrial city that is experiencing an economic boom not seen be­fore, Lae deserves an effective representation in Parliament. 

Philemon provided good leadership during his four terms and so did his predecessor Tony Ila, who served four terms.

Kouza is set to be a one-hit wonder if she does not make immediate amends by drastically improving her performance as Lae MP.