Unequal distribution of services in the city

Normal, Papua
Source:

FRANCIS GABRIEL

THERE is division within the country’s capital because of unequal distribution of basic infrastructure and services to the urban community and the settlements, a community leader at Nine-Mile, on the outskirts of Port Moresby, pointed out.
“Settlements are part of the urban community and should be given equal recognition in terms of development,” Jeffery Kaki stressed while commending National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop on his efforts in improving the city. 
 “Lack of  equality in the community over the past 34 years, has lead to social differences and disharmony resulting in continued rise in social problems today.
“Before we celebrate our 34th Independence anniversary, this issue should be addressed and policies put in place to do justice to fellow citizens living in settlements,” he said
As a reminder, Mr Kaki  said those living in settlements were equal voters and deserved equal recognition in terms of health services, schools, water, power, etc.
He  praised Mr Parkop’s beautification programme, students’ transportation service, improvement of infrastructure and services and the recently established micro-finance scheme for grassroots, among others.
Mr Kaki, however, urged the governor to buy more school buses to extend the service to those that were missing out.
With traffic jam becoming an everyday norm in the city, he called on Mr Parkop to find solutions to the problem by creating alternate routes for commuters using the Nine-Mile to Erima, Gerehu-Waigani and Central Waigani tunnel routes. 
“With the LNG and other projects coming up, there will definitely be a surge in the number of vehicles on our city roads, and a plan should be in place before we are faced with unnecessary accidents and chaos,” he said.
Mr Kaki also expressed disappointment over the K7 million contract given to Justin Tkatchenko.
He said the money should be paid to selective unemployed individuals from all over NCD to implement the beautification programme under the capacity of the National Capital District Commission (NCDC)  instead of “enriching one person only in the city”.