by Benny Geteng – EM TV, Port Moresby
Road upgrades and improvements should be a focus as a catalyst in the flow of service delivery to Menyamya District, says a Member of Parliament.
Menyamya Member and Vice Minister for Finance, Benjamin Phillip said his electorate is rolling out and implementing plans of improvement and upgrading of the main highway from Hidden Valley Junction in the Wau/Bulolo District to Menyamya station.
He said satellite roads within the district would also be improved and upgraded as part of the implementation of its plans.
“My government is focusing on improving the roads as we believe that it is through good roads that tangible service delivery can be felt by the people of Menyamya/Aseki,” Phillip said.
“Better roads mean access for coffee growers to markets in Lae, which will equate to more cash flow and increased economic activity; it also reduces costs in bringing materials for infrastructural development in the district, such as schools, health centres, and other district services.
“As such, we have already commenced work since last year with 60-70 per cent of road works already completed from a total funding of K12 million,” Phillip said.
He said the obstacles slowing work progress are limited funding, bureaucratic red tape from the provincial supply tenders board and a lack of cooperation and partnership from the Morobe Provincial Government.
Phillip said better roads are the key to service delivery and economic prosperity in his district and as such, his government will slowly work to achieve the national governments and his district’s policy objectives.
He appealed to the district and provincial government to support him as it takes time for the outcomes to be achieved; he also appealed against the use of the media in attacking him for political purposes.
