Trans-national highway

SO the trans-national highway from Southern Highlands to Kerema linking Central is almost complete.
As a Central person, this road is going to be a disaster for us.
The prime minister says that he is going to drive from the Highlands down to Port Moresby.
Who cares?
Our land, the most-prized asset we have, is going to be stolen from us and our leaders make no noise about it.
Are we Central people that stupid that we are just going to sit and let things be pushed down our throats without fighting for it?
Where are the four Central leaders Robert Agarobe, Peter Isoaimo, Sir Puka Temu and Lekwa Gure?
What are the views of the Central provincial government and are they concerned about this?
What are they doing, for goodness sake?
Why are our scholars and intellects just putting their heads in the sand and pretending that all is good?
What is happening?
Oh, and please do not use this stupid point that people of Central should take this highway as an opportunity and create wealth for themselves.
This situation is about securing our land first than wealth creation.
Let’s not kid ourselves that Highlanders will come in their droves and settle all over our land areas.
Land is our life and identity.
How many times have we heard this from everybody, including the four Central MPs?
Once we encounter land issues when this highway is opened, how are we going to address these problems?
Our police force is under resourced.
There are no strong systems in place to help us.
The more I sit and think about this matter, the more I question myself on whether this is another planned land grab just like the ILG customary land registration and SABL concepts.
They are building the highway on the pretext of development and, in doing so, letting outsiders grab our land.
I could sit here and write until the cows come home but I am quite sure that you readers catch my gist.
Without any reservation, I say to those MPs and the Central provincial government that you are a shame to the people of Central.
You are not standing up for our land and our future.
You are going to be the people that are going to go down in history, both internationally and locally, as the leaders and the Government who never fought for our land and our future.
What’s my recommendation?
Hold forums and meetings in the province and gauge the people’s views and do it now.
Do not hold fancy seminars decorated with propaganda and fancy self-promotion speeches.
Work on a strict timeframe and out forward a referendum.
Let’s stop this highway from being opened.
Think about our wellbeing and future first.
It’s our democratic right, and more importantly our identity.
To you leaders and provincial government, I know this challenge for you: You have been duly put in these positions to lead from the front.
The people of Central need leadership and action now.

Ivan
Gordon