Tutumang members fail to meet with Chief Secretary

 ALL Morobe Tutumang (provincial assembly) members were unable to meet Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc to discuss Lae city commission issues at the weekend.

Only five members, led by Deputy Governor Judas Nalau and Lord Mayor Koim Trilue, met with Sir Manasupe.

Sir Manasupe met with several councillors and leaders from city wards and later with Ahi leaders.

Presidents Philemon Tomala (Salamaua) and Johnson Alu (Siassi) advised Tutumang clerk John Tubian to liaise with Sir Manasupe to meet them on Sunday.

Nalau branded it as “disorganised meeting” and not following appropriate channels but separating councillors from Ahi leaders and Tutumang members.

“We discussed nothing constructive on Sunday with Sir Manasupe in relation to Lae city commission issue,” Nalau said. “But our (PEC’s) assurance and stand is firm  and clear that the government has to come down to the Tutumang and let us sit, debate and find amicable solution to the issue which the Bill shall be endorsed and blessed by the Tutumang before it goes to Parliament.”

Nalau said if the government was serious about the issue, then proper meetings could have been hosted in an appropriate manner and place with all concerned parties. “To host meetings in hotel board rooms separating concerned parties into groups and meet each one at a time is not a right channel,” he said.

Nalau said that five of them who visited Sir Manasupe on Sunday never agreed or compromised to anything. 

“We will host an urgent Tutumang on Thursday to discuss this matter,” he said.