MP upset over project delay

By LORRAINE JIMAL in Wewak
Ambunti Dreikikier MP Johnson Wapunai is disappointed with a project opening being delayed four times due to unavailability of invited guests.
A level three hospital, built at the Ambunti station at the cost of around K27 million that was expected to open this week, had been deferred several times.
East Sepik health authority board chairman Austin The said due to flight disruptions, Health Minister Dr Lino Tom among other invited guests could not be present to witness the event.
“I apologise on behalf of the board of management and the staff of the East Sepik health authority for any inconvenience we may have caused due to the 11th hour,” he said.
Wapunai said it had cost the PHA and the Ambunti development authority a good waste of fortune to arrange all vehicles, outboard motor fleets, deployment of three discipline forces, traditional singsing groups, food items and movement of people far and near for the special occasion.
“As a Member of Parliament, representing my people from the four LLGs of Ambunti, Tunap Hunstein, Gawanga and Dreikikier, I must say I am very disappointed with the Government and the directives received from the Health Department for the continuous deferral,” he said.
“My people have been preparing for this day for a very long time.
Wapunai added that the reason being that the shortage of fuel supply nationwide had caused continual flight schedules to crash, hence the guest of honours scheduled to officiate the programme could not travel into the province.
He urged the national and provincial governments to take on the responsibility of funding the next proposed opening ceremony for the hospital which was to be announced at a later date.