Stop playing politics, start work on h’way

AN article in The National was titled “Govt has not forgotten about Bulolo Highway” (Wednesday, Nov 24 – Pg5), but is that true?
In addition to that, last week, I did watch the broadcast of Parliament’s questions without notice to the Prime Minister James Marape by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu over the delay of the rehabilitation work on the Lae to Bulolo-Wau National Highway and must comment.
Firstly, our Prime Minister James Marape is the current Pangu Pati leader and Saonu is the deputy party leader and they must not play party politics and make excuses to try and win the support of the Morobean people during next year’s national general elections.
Why can’t they sit together and discuss things instead of making themselves look stupid in public and wasting Parliament’s time.
We, the people of Bulolo, Huon Gulf and Menyamya, want to know the truth from Marape, Works Minister Michael Nali and his Department secretary as to when the rehabilitation and maintenance work on the highway will begin.
Furthermore, it would be nice if we could hear directly from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby on the current arrangements on that project joint funding.
How can the AustAid K66 million and PNG Government K50 million be expended and project’s reports be kept and acquitted?
With the K66 million from AustAID and the contractor already approved by the NEC, the Government loan interest is accumulating, so what is the delay here?
These unnecessary political excuses and delays are painting a bad picture that the Government does not trust the Australian government over the rehabilitation and contract recommendations.
I strongly believe that the Marape Government will continue to find excuses and delay the rehabilitations and maintenance work on the highway until a new government comes into power.
Finally, our good Prime Minister was only talking about Mumeng to Lae and had not seen Mumeng to Bulolo-Wau section of that highway as yet and until he does that, I am sure he will allocate more funds.
But for now, let the AustAID funds be used. The Australian government and AustAid know what they’re doing and if they need additional funding for the work, they will certainly provide that, however, right now, the National Government must allow them to go ahead and use the approved K66 million and begin work now.

Samson C Napo
Former Bulolo MP