by Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
A total of 15 women from Northern Province are disappointed with their provincial administration, after claiming it failed to fund their trip to Port Moresby.
EMTV News this morning learnt that a sum of K20,000 was allocated for them to participate in the 2015 Women in Business Exposition in Port Moresby, however, that money has not et been seen.
President of the group, Joanne Sari, said it was her idea to bring in the mothers so they could experience for themselves the business opportunities that they can venture into when they return to their local communities.
“Being part of this expo is all that matters to us,” Joanne said. “I want to put on record that we did not travel to Port Moresby under the funding of the government, instead, we paid for our own airfares,” Joanne added.
The group of women arrived in Port Moresby last Thursday, one week after the Women in Business Expo started. They brought with them bags, caps and meri dresses all with tapa designs imprinted on.
Sari said though they were one week late, most of their products were purchased and they are happy to have represented their province.
On the other hand, Northern Governor Gary Juffa described the experience as unacceptable and said measures are already in place to minimise these kinds of practices.
“This is very frustrating because the public servants in my province are not doing their job and it is not reflecting the way I think as their provincial leader,” Governor Juffa said.
However, Juffa noted with the appointment of a new provincial administrator, he is confident there will be some changes to the way public service is conducted in Northern Province.
The women met with Northern Governor Gary Juffa this morning and will be air lifted back to Popondetta, with financial support from the Governor’s office.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=duVxN6H5dao%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
