MARAWAKA GETS K1m FROM GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill today  presented a cheque of one million kina to the Marawaka District in the Obura-Wonenara electorate of Eastern Highlands Province. Prime Minister Hon. Peter O'Neill was in the district to officially open the mini hydro power plant, two footbridges and also participate in the ground breaking ceremony of the new Yelia High School also known as the Marawaka Lutheran High School.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill presented the K1 million cheque to the District Administrator, Erinu Kasong, to assist in kick-starting and completing outstanding projects in the district.The crowd that came to witness this historical event turned up in hundreds from surrounding villages as well as neighbouring provinces like Morobe and Gulf.

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said these successful projects being opened and launched today are real evidence of good leadership and close partnership with

churches and the private sector. These arrangements are also aligned with the O’Neill-Dion Government’s priorities to enhance and further strengthen our Public Private Partnership (PPP) program. He thanked the International Water Projects for its close partnershipwith the Eastern Highlands Province to successfully construct this mini hydro electricity plant, which can supply power amounting over 100 kilowatts.This achievement, however, only provides five percent of its power to the Marawaka Station, whereas the power supply has the capacity to cater for more buildings and infrastructure.

“I would also like to thank Care International PNG for the great work it has done in building the three footbridges, two of which I am here to open - the Simbari and Simogu footbridges today. “I am also aware that Care International PNG, with the support of EHP, has agreed to build six more footbridges throughout the Obura-Wonenara Constituency and I am grateful for this kind gesture,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said. He applauded the ESP Governor, Julie Soso and local MP, Mehra Kipefa for the job well done in Marawaka and assured the government’s support. “It is our Government’s focus to develop our rural communities to where they should have been many years ago. “When forming this government in 2012, strong interventions were made by us to improve the lives of our people, especially in the rural areas. “Marawaka is no different from the many districts we visit almost every day. These are in terms of service delivery, where many communities have deteriorated over the years,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said.

He further urged the people of Obura-Wonenara to take ownership of these government services delivered to them and take good care of them.“It is not easy to maintain these kinds of infrastructure; therefore you must use them wisely and with utmost care. “This government understands that you are seriously in need of roads

and I am pleased that your governor has recognized your needs. Therefore, the O’Neill-Dion Government assures you that it is determined to support her.

“This government is not done delivering vital services to the people of PNG. We will continue delivering services till the next general elections in 2017,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said. He assured the people that he would return to Marawaka to open more projectss like the new roads from Menyamya to Marawaka and another

from Kainantu to Marawaka. The Prime Minister was also made the Chief of Marawaka by the two chiefs of Obura and Wonenara during the event. He is the first Prime Minister to visit that part of the province.