Powi wants his people to get a fair shake

By JEFFREY ELAPA
SOUTHERN Highlands’ Governor William Powi says his people should not be marginalised and stopped from services and other developments because someone in authority does not like him.
He said this yesterday when raising concern at the late release of his province’s development grants and internal revenue by Waigani.
Powi said it gave him no time to fulfil his development plans as captured in the provincial budget.
He said this year’s development levy from the PNG LNG project was released in December, making it very difficult for his government to implement its development projects as budgeted.
Powi said his government depended on development levies, royalties, special support grants, infrastructure development grants, high impact funds and unitised development levies.
He said his province did not have the capacity to raise internal revenue as there was not much business on the ground.
“Our provincial government budget is dependent on the above said revenue streams and if they are released at will and whim by Waigani, how I can deal with implementation of our projects in the budget?
“It’s a shame, it’s a terrible mistake and injustice Waigani is doing to the people of Southern Highlands.
“There is no sign of the K450 million disaster funds for Southern Highlands earmarked in the budget and we are not sure if these funds will reach us. The Western Enga Southern Highland and Hela Restoration Authority has not been established.
“It’s not in operation to implement some of our infrastructure such as Kutubu Secondary School, Nipa High School, Mendi Secondary school, Plateau High School, various health and infrastructure facilities, to name a few.”