By Edwin Fidelis – EM TV, Lae
Menyamya District in Morobe Province will be amongst others receiving an additional K5 million to its K10 million DSIP.
The Prime Minister made this commitment on a visit to Menyamaya on Saturday.
A large portion of the K15 million district funds will go towards the construction of the Aseki-Menyamya Highway and a hydro power station for the district.
This will be the third time that the Prime Minister has visited Menyamya District since forming the government coalition.
On Saturday when he came to officiate at the commissioning of Menyamya Secondary School, the people celebrated.
The Prime Minister brought with him good news for the Menyamya people who have been largely forgotten.
“I want to make it clear that the incomplete road between Aseki and Menyamya will be completed… If it [isn’t], elect a new member that will bring tangible development to Menyamya,” the Prime Minister said.
Menyamya is one of the least developed districts in Morobe Province. The district shares provincial boundaries with Eastern Highlands, Gulf and Southern Highlands provinces.
This makes Menyamya one of the difficult places in Papua New Guinea to live in. In recent years, however, the district has gradually seen some changes.
“We have spent the money on tangible developments… Menyamya is a big district, I [cannot] bring development to [it] overnight,” said Benjamin Philip, Menyamya’s elected leader.
Menyamya is a place heard of but largely ignored over the years. Much of its districts funding is taken up by costs of delivering services alone.
A large chunk of its DSIP funds for next year will go towards the rebuilding of its roads, the construction of a new hydro power station and the upgrading of its hailing public services.
