Tambua setting focus on water, roads, SMEs

The National National
Parliament Speaker Job Pomat (left) with new Goroka MP Aiye Tambua after the swearing-in ceremony at the State function room, Parliament, yesterday. – Nationalpic by PETER ESILA

By PETER ESILA
NEW Goroka MP Aiye Tambua was sworn-in yesterday by Parliament Speaker Job Pomat and says given the short time he has, he prefers to focus on small but important projects and services such as water supply.
Tambua said the short spell he would have as an MP, until the 2022 general election, he would focus on basic service delivery.
“It is short time but the important thing is that we want to deliver the basics in terms of services,” he said.
“For me to promise something big is not achievable, simple things such as water, road services, rural water supply and hopefully after the 2022 general elections, we can deliver something tangible.
“But my focus right now is water supply, rural road upgrades and SMEs (small-medium enterprises) for women and rural electrification that will be my main focus, something which can be achieved in a short amount of time.”
One of the things that he would be concentrating on is the rural-urban drift of youths.
“Especially in Goroka town, I want to put most of them into technical schools.”
Tambua said he would also like to help women in small-medium businesses.
“Currently, we have SME broad programmes but what I want to do now is to break it down specifically to women in SMEs, women who are struggling,” he said.
“Those who are widows and are doing business, I want to target them, I want to stabilise them, something for them to put money into their pockets.”
Tambua said for the long term, Goroka should be fully developed.
“Goroka is the gateway to the Highlands, the town itself has been neglected in the last 10, 15, 20 years and Goroka town upgrade, the image of Goroka needs to improve, we want to make Goroka what it was in the ’80s, ’90s, the road system, these are long-term plans.
“To all the people of Goroka, thank you, especially on the second preferential votes that really counted.
“It showed the spirit that they wanted change, the election results, my second preferential voters drove me home.”
Tambua said the candidates fought a good battle and it was time to work together for the good of Goroka. “I thank my family for the support as well, everyone has a family.”