Protest forces class suspension

The National Main Stories

A WATER shortage and related issues at the University of Goroka sparked a student protest yesterday forcing a suspension of classes. Water supply to the school was restored later in the day.
More than 300 students converged at the main car park calling on the university’s management to explain why there had been no water for a week.
“The university does not have overdue water bills. Whatever arrears we may have is supposed to be paid by finance but this has not been the case and we have since Monday already paid our bills,” vice chancellor Prof Musawe Sinebare said.
Prof Sinebare said the university was being held to ransom by landowners with regards to water and other issues.
“UOG has become victim of some political machination with regards to the water issue but we will ensure that water is carted in. We are consumers and the government should have Water PNG take over the water in Goroka, why this hasn’t happened has baffled me,” he said.
Some of the issues raised by the students were security, particularly for female students going to use the Zogizoi River; health and hygiene at UOG with regards to student ablution blocks; a lack of basic medicines at the campus clinic, unhygienic conditions at the student dining hall and poor hand hygiene practices.
The students petitioned the school’s registrar to fast-track the election of the student council.

7 comments

  • GOROKA’S WATER ISSUE HAS BECOME CHRONIC AND THIS ITEM , A BASIC NEED HAS BEEN USED AS A WEAPON OF BLACKMAIL BY NEVER SATISFIED LANDOWNERS. THIS SOURCE FROM KAVEVE RANGES HAS SHOWN TO BE VULNERABLE FOR FREQUENT LANDSLIDES DISCOLORING THE WATER SUPPLY THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND AN NEVER ENDING LIST OF CLANS WITH DEMANDS FOR COMPO.

    THERE IS A BETTER PLACE TO SOURCE THE TOWNS WATER SUPPLY….THE “GOMAHEGA NAGAMI” WHICH BEGINS FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF KOTUNI IS THE PERFECT ALTERNATE WATER SOURCE FOR GOROKA.

    IT CAN BE STORED AT KOTUNI AND THEN PIPED TO A LOCATION AT EITHER ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN TOPS AT NAGAMIZA OR AGOPEHA [OKIZUHA] FOR THE WATER TREATMENT AND THEN BY NATURAL PRESSURE, PIPED ALL THROUGHOUT GOROKA, HENGANOFI AND ASARO/WATABUNG STATIONS.

    WE NEED 60-70 MILLION KINA FOR THIS JOB!

  • It’s time government reconosider to remove the current VC and Chancellor. They’re running UOG like their private company.

  • I totally agree with Sirox.
    Mismanagement from the top level.
    This Government Institution is not your Birth-right.
    The top management are in there for their selfish gain and ambition.
    Toktok planti na maus wara tumas Mr. VC

  • Really funny for the University to face a problem with a very basic things, authority better need to investigate the UOG administration and know inside story

  • THE REPORT BY GOROKA TOWN AUTHORITY SAY UNIVERSITY HAS A OUTSTANDING WITH THEM..
    THE NEWS PRESENTED HERE SEEMS TO BE ONESIDED..
    THEY SHOULD GET REPORT FROM ALL CONCERN AUTHORITIES..
    Top Manangment Teams should be the one responsible..
    Please send the audit team to UOG to audit because the University TMT are the currently running University as their private …

  • When Dr Onagi, Mel and Yoko were in TMT. students never complain and were happy. They did a lot which brought UOG status to where it is today. The current TMT are only joyriding on these and pairap popcorns around but have done nil major for UOG. Lots of unqualified tutors who have first Degree only are employed by thru nepotism and cronyism. Lots of well qualified and experienced educators are applying but not taken onboard. Government need to remove current TMT.

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