By Mickey Kavera – EM TV, Port Moresby
Beneria Station, in the Komo Magarima District of the resource-rich Hela Province, has been neglected over the years. According to the people, the area was overlooked by successive parliamentary leaders, and service delivery to the area was very poor.
Beneria was once a mission station, accessible only by air. On foot, it takes travellers three days to reach the provincial capital of Tari.
Schools are constantly without teachers, and health services are lacking.
But the construction of the road linking the station and the township has helped to ease some of the problems experienced by residents.
These services may, however, be short-lived now that the local MP, Francis Potape, has been jailed.
The people of Beneria gathered over the weekend at the Beneria Station to express their concerns about service delivery.
News of their MP’s sentencing has caused the people much distress, with locals threatening to destroy the LNG Gas pipeline in their area. Local leaders on ground however, were able to prevent sabotage by urging the people to remain calm.
They have asked their leaders to complete the projects in their area left by Mr Potape, and not to ignore their plight.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8_67KM1t-Hk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
