MP wants concept reviewed

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE government has to reconsider the economic corridor concept included in the medium and long-term plans, Southern Highlands Governor William Powi told parliament last Friday.
Powi said the economic corridor concept (developing around economic areas) was an important plan that was geared towards opening up access and transforming lives of the people through the establishment of vital services such as road infrastructure and town
planning.
He said it was time to revisit the National Strategic Plan and Vision 2050 so the economic corridor concept was taken onboard as it was never included in the 2013 budget tabled in parliament by Treasurer, Don
Polye.
He said the economic corridor concept was the way forward for development besides direct funding to the districts and provinces.
But Minister for National Planning Charles Abel said the economic corridor concept was similar to what the government was doing in funding the provinces and districts.
“In my view, I believe every district and province are in the economic corridors beside the LNG pipeline
corridor.
The economic corridor covers the entire country,” he said.
He said the government was addressing critical infrastructure throughout the country and it was the way forward to addressing development in the country, with emphasis on the provinces and
districts.