No relief yet for disaster-hit areas

CAN the office of Central Governor clarify on the provincial disaster office the handling and distribution of relief supplies for 2018 and 2019.
Central was hit by severe rain and flooding in early 2018.
The National Disaster Office, through the provincial disaster office, responded and despatched a relief assistance team to assess damages in Kairuku, Mekeo and Goilala.
Gaire, in Hiri, was also affected leaving farmers with little hope to save their gardens.
My formal request letter dated Feb 17, 2018, was sent to team leader requesting for immediate assistance.
However due to logistical issues, I was advised to assist and collectively submit a full report to his office.
This assessment was done through the community disaster team and a submission was made.
To date, there is still no sign of assistance.
Continuous finger pointing and blame-shifting with all sorts of reasons that they come with.
The two most common excuses “come back next week or funds have not been released”.
These excuses are sometimes very frustrating and disturbing to give my people.
Furthermore, it does not paint a good picture of our provincial government, especially the governor’s office.
Especially when they knew funds were made available, but how they were distributed is the million-kina question.
While the recovery progress from 2018 is slowly picking up, this year’s disaster added more problems onto the current situation.
This has became a double-blow to the people, especially to farmers who were trying to recover from the first disaster.
They have not being assisted yet so are you (the disaster office) going to make them wait for another 12 months?
Are you going to make them wait some more months without seeing any assistance or until another disasters strikes.
Governor Robert Agarobe approved a K1,000,000 and this time, for the 2019 assistance.
However, my people have again not being noticed despite our Hiri district CEO Tony Abavu’s involvement to compile a report for those affected area’s in Kairuku/ Hiri which was submitted to the provincial disaster office.
As of today, we are still waiting while my continuous visits to Konedobu have become a very
expensive exercise leaving me, as an elected leader, with no choice but to pursue until there are results.
I know there are many ward members out there who also have similar issues affecting their communities but don’t come out and express them to their respective members.
If we come out and expose these issues, we are not only helping our people but we are also helping our leaders in fight corruption.
Finally, whatever is meant for our people (i.e money, vehicles, aid etc) should not be misused and exploited for personal benefits by self-centred individuals.
As elected leaders, we must fight to have them delivered to our people before it is too late.

Disgruntled ward member
Hon Kema Sere,
Gaire Village