Community members of Kondopina, a very big community in Dei District of Western Highlands province claim they have been neglected for 53 years of basic services.
The majority of the first block holders of Kondopina hail from Chimbu and Enga. The push factors for the settlers were tribal fights, sorcery and domestic violence.
Their permanent settlement paved ways for them to initiate projects like schools. Health becomes another major concern, to which it was later built with recommendations escalated by the employees of the Department of Primary Industry, the then Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
The dwellers first settled at Kondopina in 1965 and since then, government services, specifically water supply and electricity has never been a concern to the responsible authority.
“Our grandparents raised our fathers with water from the ponds or sometimes water collected from the rain. Our fathers were raised under the lights projected from the burning woods,” Peter Degene told EMTV Online. Mr Degene said, he was then born to the world where he had the opportunity to sleep under the lamp and candle lights.
“Today, I raised my son under the counterfeit Korean or Chinese lights and drank from the same old ponds and creeks.”
According to Peter, between 1970 and 1980, the only Community Aid post went down to flames due to election related issues. Back then, Kondopina had been without aid post to cater for the 4,000 plus population.
Kondopina Primary and Elementary have sought for assistance from our elected MPs.
“Our 25 year old bridge (Waghi Bridge) has been sunk by the constant pressure of ever maturing Waghi River early this month.” Mr Degene said.
He claims the livelihood of the people of Kondopina are in dire straits.
“Kondopina is in dire need of basic government services and I am hereby, speaking on behalf of the 4000 plus population of Kondopina, who apparently can speak or air their voices to the responsible authority.”
Mr Degene appeals to the Western Highlands Provincial government and Dei District MP to consider the proposed needed services. “Please prioritise your 2018 budget for Kondopina, and see if you can connect Electricity and fresh water supplies,” He said.
Mr Degene who owns and operates a tourism and a security service company (Wondekland Tours Ltd and Secured Security Service Ltd) said 53 years of suffering was enough and urge the leaders to sometimes put themselves into the shoes of the people and see their everyday needs
