Tewai-Siassi people want electorate split into two

SOME people in Tewai-Siassi, Morobe, want their district split into two electorates.
This was revealed during an Electoral Boundaries Commission public consultation meeting in Lae yesterday.
Local Billy Amakua told the provincial land boundaries committee and government representatives that it would be easier to manage two separate electorates.
“Geographically, our call is genuine because the district has the mainland and the island,” he said.
“It is very difficult in terms of service deliveries and administrative functions to reach these two areas.”
Amakua proposed that Tewai, on the mainland, managed its own affairs while Siassi Island had a separate electorate.
Provincial boundary commission member Roy Naiab said according to the 2011 census, Morobe had around 670,000 people.
Naiab said it was likely that the number had increased to more than one million.
“The delays and the deferrals of identifying electoral boundaries have put so much strain on the districts in effectively delivering services,” he said.
He said Lae had the most population followed by Bulolo.
“In terms of geographic features, Tewai-Siassi is difficult to manage,” he said.
“When the district administration is shifted to Siassi Island, effective and efficient services are not provided on the mainland. And when the administration is on the mainland, the island would not be managed well.
“That is why special consideration must be given to Tewai-Siassi either to have a separate electorate.”