Prime Minister Peter O’Neill Promises to Rewind Decades of Neglect in Kagua-Erave

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, has expressed his concern at four decades of administrative disregard for Kagua-Erave, and assured people of the district that the national Government is bringing about real change for the people.
In delivering better services, the Prime Minister called on the people to join him in partnership - particularly when this involves overcoming law and order and tribal violence issues.
The Prime Minister made the comments when he visited the district to officially launch the Kagua-Erave District Five Year Development Plan 2013-2017 at the Kagua Station in Southern Highlands Province on Thursday.
“The Kagua-Erave District is one of the most neglected districts in Papua New Guinea.”
“Even though the Southern Highlands Province is a natural resource rich province, when you look at how governments have acted in Kagua-Erave, we really have little to show for this contribution to national wealth.
“The lack of service delivery to Kagua-Erave is the result of mismanagement by leaders for so long. “Unlike in the past, this government has made a commitment to quickly identifying problems and fixing them.”
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said the Government fully supports the Kagua-Erave MP, Hon. James Lagea and his efforts to restore development in his electorate.
The Prime Minister encouraged the people to work closely with their leader, in order to facilitate development in the district. The Prime Minister also reassured the people of Kagua-Erave that the Government was attending to road infrastructure that is essential for ongoing development.
“The government now will complete the Southern Highlands Province to Kikori Highway in the two and a half years remaining in this Parliament. “Next our government will start sealing the Ialibu-Kagua road and then move on to Erave afterwards.”
“With ongoing road development, soon you won’t have to travel down to Lae to collect cargo from its ports or deliver your own goods for trade. “We will be able drive down to Kikori, in Gulf Province, which is shorter and more convenient.”
The Prime Minister further appealed to the people of Kagua-Erave to partner with the Government particularly when it comes dealing with law and order issues. “Recent ethnic clashes and tribal fighting have harmed this area and has seen facilities like schools and hospitals damaged. This is not good enough for your region. You need to work together, and towork in partnership with the Government to overcome problems and deliver development and services to Kagua-Erave.”
Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill is the first Prime Minister to visit the district since Independence.