Party announces K12m rural plan

By PISAI GUMAR
THE PNG Party plans to develop rural areas by strengthening local level governments, improve infrastructure and provide free education.
At its two-day party convention at the Sir Ignatius Kilage indoor complex in Lae, deputy party leader Sam Basil said K12 million would be locked into a “rural intervention” programme.
The funding will ensure each LLG is equipped with equipment such as bulldo­zers, multi-purpose tractors, ambulances and vehicles for the police to curb lawlessness.
Basil said a LLG managers and presidents workshops in Alotau, Kokopo, Madang and Mt Hagen last year agreed that if the LLGs were well-funded to sustain themselves, service delivery should flow smoothly.
That will allow a swift flow of services while people participate meaningfully in socio-economic activities, Basil said.
For the head-tax, the government will budget K140 million that will be invested directly to LLG council wards, he said.
Mendi MP Pr Joseph Isaac said a policy framework would be put in place to enhance a church partnership programme to work with the government.
Despite PNG being declared a Christian country and after the Somare regime signed a “covenant with God” and dedicated the country to God, the government had not “honored” its commitment.
“There is a missing link. That is why although we have abundance of natural resources, the people are
still suffering,” said Isaac.
“We are suffering from the curse of resources being abused without fulfilling the heart-beat of the Lord to give back to the church the one-tenth for the Lord.”