Rise in demand for services: O’Neill

THE country’s population increases by three per cent every year, which demands an improvement in service delivery too, says Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill.
O’Neill told people at Gumine in Chimbu during a People’s National Congress (PNC) party rally that the national economy needed to meet the demands of the population which was increasing every year to almost 10 million today.
“Our country’s three per cent increase in population exceeds other countries. But despite that rate, the PNC party will still provide its free education policy for every child,” he said.
“The population demands the delivery of (services such as) health, education, roads, bridges and infrastructure.”
O’Neill was in Gumine to support PNC candidate Joe Wemin.
He said at Dei village that the public demand for services had increased.
“The demands have increased which makes it difficult for any government to meet because the economy had (not been) generating money,” he said.
He blamed it on poor and inexperienced leaders. He added that since the change of government in 2019, leadership at national level had been unstable and weak.
He urged the people of Gumine to support Wemin because of his wealth of knowledge and experience in the public and private sectors.

Students run election awareness

A GROUP of university students in Western Highlands is educating voters on electing leaders who will provide good governance and fight corruption.
The students attending the University of Goroka have been visiting voters in Tambul-Nebilyer, Hagen, Mul-Baiyer and Dei as the final week of campaigning draws to a close.
Spokesman Gideon Francis said voters who were willing to sell their votes for K50 were just throwing away their rights.
He also said that some voters expected some money from candidates if they were to vote for them – which was tantamount to corruption.
The students have been spending their own money to visit people in the four electorates and educate them on how to make wise choices.
“The actions that we make today will determine our future and we have to educate our citizens so that they know what direction they are taking,” Francis said.

Dept selects team to observe polling, counting

A 15-MEMBER team from a government department will find out during the General Election 2022 (GE22) if there are issues faced by women candidates, people living with disabilities and the elderly.
Department of Community Development and Religion Secretary Jerry Ubase said the team of observers would also focus on election-related violence, especially against women.
“The need to have election observers from my department is in line with the recommendation by the Australian National University report (on the General Election 2017) which claims (that there was) widespread intimidation and violence,” he said.
The report documented 204 deaths as a result of election-related violence in 2017.
“Such a damning report of widespread violence is of concern to my department, therefore (we will send) 15 managers and officers to the Highlands, Madang, Morobe, East Sepik, West New Britain, Central, Gulf and National Capital District to observe and report,” he said.
He pointed out that everyone including women, people living with disabilities and the elderly, deserved a free, fair and safe election environment.
The 15 officers will be using an online application during polling and counting, plus a questionnaire.
Their findings will be collated into a report to be tabled in Parliament.
“The findings will contribute to policy dialogue, legislative reforms and systematic awareness to improve the rights of women, people with disabilities and the elderly (during the election) process,” Ubase said.
He thanked Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai for allowing his department’s observation to take part.
“We want to ensure that women, people with disabilities and the elderly are provided an express lane to vote without intimidation,” he said.