Officials plan next step

THE majority of Morobe’s General Election 2022 (GE22) officials are meeting today to decide their next course of action after the promised funds failed to reach them yesterday.
“We have yet to get our allowance and the funding for GE22 operations, as promised,” Wau-Waria elections returning officer Fidelis Harrisol said.
“The funding is for the whole GE22 operation.
“If there are no funds, we cannot operate.
“Wau-Waria has 26 polling teams of seven members each.
“That means we have 182 temporary election workers.
“With the geography of Waria, Garaina and logistical challenges, I cannot do much without the much-needed funds. We were hopeful of some funds coming in today.”
Provincial election steering committee chairman Kissu Lucas said they met on Wednesday and had come up with list of items that were sent to the commission.
A petition was signed by seven ROs and 27 assistant ROs, highlighting issues with funding, allowance, ARO gazettal appointments and the provision of electoral roll.
The petition was submitted to the Electoral Commission on Tuesday, giving it until yesterday to respond.
“Commissioner Simon Sinai has responded to us and committed that some funds would be transmitted into of the officials’ accounts, hopefully next week,” said Lucas.

O’Neill promises to base dept, bank in Banz

THE Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) headquarters will be based in Banz, Jiwaka rather than in Waigani if the People’s National Congress party forms the next government, says party leader Peter O’Neill.
“The people of Jiwaka deserve to have the head office of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock based here in Banz, (on) the rich, fertile soils of the Highlands, to motivate public servants and scientists to develop agriculture in our country,” he said.
O’Neill told an election rally in Banz yesterday that Jiwaka was established a decade ago but its development progress had been too slow.
The party candidates in Jiwaka include William Roimb (regional), Mai Dop (Jimi), Frank Goi (North Waghi) and Molka Gibson Kum (Anglimp South Waghi).
O’Neill said they had shown professionalism and teamwork and had a clear plan to accelerate development in Jiwaka.
“There is a place for Waigani public service, but we must move departments such as agriculture out of Port Moresby and place it where it can best be surrounded by the farmers we need to help,” O’Neill said.
“The PNC (will) re-engineer the National Development Bank into a full-service retail bank called the SME and Farmers Bank by January 2023.”
He said the bank’s headquarters would also be in Banz “to ensure seamless integration between the bank and its farmer and small business customers”.
“We must spread employment opportunities and encourage our people to live in regional communities,” he said.
“And in doing so, develop the agriculture sector and Jiwaka.”
O’Neill promised to have one bank branch in every province by 2030 to serve the needs of our people.