Former Eastern Highlands Governor, Malcolm Kela Smith, who is contesting for the Regional seat says the government system in Port Moresby needs a shake up.
He said in his previous term, it took him years to get basic services delivered and that he sometimes had to use his own money to get things done.
“I’ve used my own money to build teachers houses in the bush because I believe they deserve houses,” he said.
“No politician will use his money to deliver services. We wait for government money.”
Smith, who was a senior member of the Public Account Committee (PAC) said the bureaucratic system was so cumbersome and slow that he had to support the operations of the PAC with his own money for some time.
“I’m sure we are not the only province that suffers because of Waigani’s incompetence,” he said.
Smith is one of several candidates contesting the Eastern Highlands Regional currently held by Julie Soso.
